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16 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13509 Tuesday OCTOBER 15, 2019 Mehr 23, 1398 Safar 16, 1441 Even U.S. allies admit Two terror groups Bahrain a Musavi Garmarudi, region would be more disbanded in tough team to beat: Qaribian join “Forty Days secure without U.S. 3 southeastern Iran 3 Marc Wilmots 15 of Love” honorees 16

Ruhollah Zam, head of anti-Iranian See page 2 Telegram channel, arrested by IRGC

TEHRAN — The Islamic Revolution of the IRGC’s intelligence organization, Guards Corps (IRGC) announced on ISNA reported. Separating Monday that Ruhollah Zam, the opera- Zam launched Amad News in 2015. tor of the anti-Islamic Republic Telegram The channel frequently posted fake news channel Seday-e Mardom (formerly known stories and called for violence with the as Amad News), has been arrested during aim of overthrowing the Islamic Republic a complex intelligence operation. of Iran. In a statement, the IRGC said Zam’s During the protest rallies in December arrest shows that the enemies’ intelligence 2018, he urged the people to take arms budget from services have been defeated by the power against the government. 3

Expediency Council sets aside oil requires Palermo bill TEHRAN — Iran’s Expediency Council has He added, “We are managing the coun- set aside studies to approve the Palermo bill, try through circumventing the sanctions. Gholamreza Mesbahi-Moghadam has said. Approval of these two bills is not wise.” “Palermo and CFT will help the United He also said, “The Guardian Council States to identify the ways we circumvent has found faults with this bill and from the sanctions. We will not tighten sanctions this council’s point of view, these two bills ‘precise by our own hands,” Mesbahi-Moghadam, have not become legal. The Expediency a council member, told ISNA in an inter- Council has not studied them. So, they view published on Monday. are not approved.” 2 surgery’ Kais Saied elected Tunisia president with slogan of support for Palestine TEHRAN — In a contest that reflected people “for turning a new page” and Tunisia’s shifting post-revolution polit- vowed to try to build “a new Tunisia”. ical landscape, Kais Saied scooped more About 90% of 18- to 25-year-olds voted than 70% of the vote, according to two for Saied, according to estimates by the exit polls, more than 40 points ahead of Sigma polling institute, compared with

Nabil Karoui. 49.2% of voters over 60. Karoui conceded defeat, issuing a state- Thousands of people took to the streets ment of congratulations to his opponent. of the capital, Tunis, to celebrate Saied’s “I would like to congratulate you on your victory, honking horns and singing the

president.ir election to the presidency,” he said. national anthem. “Kais Saied, voice of the Saied thanked the country’s young people,” a crowd chanted. 13 PERSPECTIVE Syrian troops enter three towns after deal with Kurds ARTICLE Hanif Ghaffari TEHRAN — Syrian army troops have entered Syrian Kurds on Sunday struck a deal with Ankara says the operation is meant to purge Abdouallah Shahbazi Head of the Tehran Times the towns of Tabqah, Ain Issa and Tel Tamer in the government in Damascus on the deployment YPG militants, the backbone of the U.S.-backed Political analyst Politics Desk northeastern Syria after Damascus reached an of Syrian army forces near the northern border SDF militant group, which Turkey views as ter- agreement with Kurds in the region to deploy after U.S. troops pulled out of the region ahead rorists linked to local militants of the Kurdistan troops in the area, state media report. of a Turkish incursion. Workers’ Party (PKK). Iran is taking the The deployment to Tabqah near Raqqah on The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Residents of the northern city of Qamishli Iran has foiled Monday restores the state’s foothold in an area Rights said U.S. warplanes had targeted a col- on Sunday celebrated the announcement that next nuclear step that is home to a major hydroelectric dam. umn of Syrian troops in the city of Raqqah in an the Syrian troop deployment. hostile plan in the The state television, in broadcasts from Ain apparent attempt to hinder their deployment People were seen on motorcycles and standing he three countries, Britain, Issa, showed residents welcoming the entry of to the north. on vehicles, dancing and waving Syrian flags in the region Germany and France, on the the army troops. The U.S. military also tried to hinder the dis- streets of Qamishli, AFP news agency reported. Tone hand, stress the need to Tel Tamer is 35 km southeast of Ras al-Ain patch of Syrian and Russian forces near Manbij, Crowds of people also gathered in the streets hirteen years ago, the situation in maintain a nuclear deal with Iran which is currently under the control of Turkish the London-based war monitoring group said. of Hasakeh to celebrate the planned deployment the region was highly disappoint- and, on the other hand, continue to troops. It is on a strategically important highway, Kurdish authorities said the deal “paves the way of government troops. They waved national Ting. There were predictions about do little to safeguard Iran’s interests! the M4, that runs east to west. Turkish forces to liberate the rest of the Syrian cities occupied flags and blared horns to celebrate the army fragmentation in the region by enormous developments, from which Iran would This paradoxical attitude and behavior said they had seized the highway on Sunday. by the Turkish army such as Afrin” in northwest. build-up. 13 of European officials means that they not survive. Iran was definitely supposed are being led by the White House. to be at the heart of the disturbance. The Undoubtedly, in such circumstances chaos started with the Syrian civil war in the Islamic Republic of Iran is taking March 2011. its fourth and next nuclear step. U.S. reportedly leaves 5 ‘high value’ Daesh prisoners behind in Syria Everyone knows that it was only Iran Undoubtedly, the Islamic Republic TEHRAN — The United States forces have and the House ... a joint resolution that urges the troops in the area, state media report. that resisted and prevented the fall of of Iran will never forget the betray- reportedly left five “high value” prisoners be- president to undo his decision to do everything The deployment to Tabqah near Raqqah on Bashar al-Assad. Therefore, Iran stopped als of the three European countries hind in Syria amid Turkey’s offensive against he can to protect the Kurds, to do everything Monday restores the state’s foothold in an area Syria’s breakup. If Syria had collapsed, (Britain, Germany and France) during the war-ravaged country. that we must do to prevent ISIS terrorists from that is home to a major hydroelectric dam. the same event would have happened to the Trump presidency! The New York Times report on Sunday came escaping, and make sure that Turkey respects The state television, in broadcasts from Ain Iraq and then Iran. No one could stop the Donald Trump stepped at the after hundreds of ISIL allies escaped from a low-se- existing agreements related to Syria and with Issa, showed residents welcoming the entry of major collapse in the region. White House in 2017. Theresa May, curity detention camp amid Turkey’s invasion the United States,” Schumer said. “I’m going to the army troops. When Iranian resistance succeeded, the British Prime Minister, was the into northern Syria. work so hard to pass this resolution, this joint Tel Tamer is 35 km southeast of Ras al-Ain after the foiling of a Western powers’ first European official to travel to There are reportedly about 11,000 prisoners in resolution, this bipartisan resolution to try and which is currently under the control of Turkish joint plot to attack Syria in Septem- Washington to meet with the new Syria, 2,000 of whom are from 50 other nations get the president to undo what he has done.” troops. It is on a strategically important highway, ber 2013, Russia joined the resistance president of the United States. During that have not taken them back. Trump has been under pressure from his allies the M4, that runs east to west. Turkish forces movement as an active member in Sep- this visit, Trump informed Theresa U.S. Congressional Democrats have been urging and opponents over his decision to allow Turkish said they had seized the highway on Sunday. tember 2015. Actually, it was Iran that May mind of his decision on “changing President Donald Trump to reverse his decision forces attack U.S.-backed Kurds in northern Syria. Syrian Kurds on Sunday struck a deal with maintained and led the resistance and the nuclear deal”. He emphasized that to pull back troops from northern Syria, Senate Meanwhile, Syrian army troops have entered the government in Damascus on the deployment then Russia backed it. Preserving Syr- if the nuclear deal is not reviewed and Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the towns of Tabqah, Ain Issa and Tel Tamer in of Syrian army forces near the northern border ia’s territorial integrity and the Assad redefined, the United States will no on Sunday. northeastern Syria after Damascus reached an after U.S. troops pulled out of the region ahead administration were not a job carried more remain as a part of it. It was “We will be putting on the floor of the Senate agreement with Kurds in the region to deploy of a Turkish incursion. out by Russia and followed up by Iran. during this visit and among Ameri- It was vice versa. can senators that Theresa May called In 2010 and 2011, Iran’s atmosphere the JCPOA a “controversial deal” for was extremely bipolar due to events that the first time since 2015. In this way, followed the 2009 protests. For this rea- and indirectly, May announced her son, a great number of political figures company with the United States for inside the country strongly opposed Iran’s changing the JCPOA. Leader visits intervention in Syrian affairs. There were Afterwards, it was time for the a controversial situation on Facebook. I French President, Emmanuel Ma- Ayatollah was defending Iran’s regional role and also cron to take part in the joint game was observing disagreements regarding of London and Washington. In July Makarem Shirazi this matter. 2017, Macron assured Trump that At that time, it was hard to imag- he would do its best to include Iran’s in hospital ine this great victory and result. The missile capability in the context of achievement of the resistance is a de- the nuclear deal, and thus limit the TEHRAN — Leader of the Islamic Revolution velopment that I called the “end of regional power of Iran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei visited Grand Aya- Western powers’ hegemony and the But Macron never imagined that tollah Naser Makarem Shirazi at a hospital emergence of a new Middle East”. This he had practically turned to Trump’s in Tehran on Monday. new Middle East will be totally different piece in his confrontation with Iran. During the visit, the Leader highlighted from the one we have witnessed over In September, 2017, and during the Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi’s important role the last century. United Nations General Assembly The end of Western powers’ hegemo-

in Qom seminaries and wished him a full and meeting in New York, British and speedy recovery, Fars reported. ny does not mean that there will be no French officials were urged by the Earlier, the office of Ayatollah Makarem more financial-political conspiracies in United States to attract Germany’s Shirazi announced that the cleric had been the Middle East. But at least we will not positive stance to participate in the see events like official military attacks on

president.ir hospitalized for some health conditions, add- “West’s joint effort to change the ing that his general health is good. 3 Afghanistan or Iraq by the U.S. and its JCPOA.” 13 allies in the near future. 13 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS OCTOBER 15, 2019

Iranian MPs condemn Russia: Revocating nuclear Turkish military attack on northern Syria POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian MPs issued a statement on deal to fuel regional tensions deskMonday condemning Turkey’s military attack on northeastern Syria. POLITICAL TEHRAN – Valentina six world states — namely the U.S., Germany, “We, the representatives of Iran’s parliament, support the deskIvanovna Matviyenko, the France, Britain, Russia and China — in 2015. oppressed Syrian Kurds and expect the government of the Islamic chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council, However, Washington’s exit from the deal in Republic of Iran, which supports the oppressed, to announce said on Monday that a destruction of the 2015 May 2018 has put the future of the historic its support for the oppressed Syrian Kurds in various ways,” nuclear deal will intensify security tensions deal in limbo. read the statement. in the region. Tehran remained fully compliant with the The statement also said, “Speaker of the parliament [Ali Larijani] Matviyenko made the remarks in a meeting JCPOA even one year after the U.S. pulled will cancel his trip to Turkey in protest to the military attack.” with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Lari- out of the deal, waiting for the co-signatories The MPs also condemned the international bodies’ silence jani on the margins of the 141st Assembly to fulfill their end of the bargain by offsetting over the attack. of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Bel- the impacts of Washington’s bans on the Turkey launched military operation against Syrian Kurd- grade, Serbia. Iranian economy. As the European parties ish fighters, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on Tensions mounted between Tehran and failed to do so, Tehran moved in May to re- Wednesday. Washington when President Donald Trump taliate against Washington’s exit and began The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear to partially suspending its JCPOA commit- urging Turkey to immediately stop offensive against northeastern deal with Iran in May 2018 and re-imposed ments in 60-day stages under paragraph 36 Syria and withdraw its forces from the region. harsh sanctions against the Islamic Republic of the deal. The statement said, “As it has been announced earlier, the in defiance of global criticism. Paragraph 36 has provided a mechanism Islamic Republic of Iran considers the current regional situation Matviyenko said, “There is no reason to to resolve disputes and allows one side, under a consequence of extra-regional interferences, especially by the withdraw from the nuclear deal, because Iran certain circumstances, to stop complying with United States.” has fulfilled the entire obligations under the the deal if the other side is out of compliance. The ministry said Iran, by capitalizing on its regional influ- deal well. Tehran’s measures have also been dent Vladimir Putin, in his phone calls, has the JCPOA and set a deadline for Europeans Iran has so far rowed back on its nuclear ence, has solutions to problems haunting the region. “Based on verified by the International Atomic Energy invited the U.S. president and the European to remedy breaches. commitments in three stages. its view on solving problems within its regional capacities, Iran Agency’s experts who are in Iran on verifi- leaders to help maintain nuclear deal with President Hassan Rouhani has said The Islamic Republic has already in- is ready to play a role.” cation mission.” Iran and solve the differences via dialogue. the government was moving on the right creased its enriched uranium stockpile The crisis can just be settled through peaceful solutions and “Destruction of the JCPOA will intensify On May 8, 2019, exactly one year after path by reducing its nuclear commitments, beyond the 300-kilogram cap set by the respect for Syria’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, tensions in the region. Russia firmly opposes the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal, stressing that Tehran could not be patient agreement, began enriching uranium to the statement added. killing of the nuclear deal with Iran,” she said, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council while the other parties failed to stick to their purity rates beyond the limit of 3.67 per- President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that security according the Persian website of Sputnik. (SNSC) decided to reduce Tehran’s nuclear commitments. cent, and also removed ban on its nuclear at Syria-Turkey borders can just be provided by the Syrian Army. Matviyenko further said Russian Presi- commitments based on the paragraph 36 of The JCPOA was signed between Iran and research and development. “We have announced that security at the north of Syria and south of Turkey can just be provided by the Syrian Army and we should make the grounds for the Syrian Army’s presence in this region… and the Kurds in this region, which is their own country, should be beside the Syrian Army,” he said at a cabinet session. Abe advisor to visit Tehran POLITICAL TEHRAN — Japanese “I would like to work tenaciously, and play Abe said, “Japan will persistently contin- has “no trust” in the U.S. and will not at all deskPrime Minister Shinzo the best possible role to ease tensions in the ue our diplomatic efforts to deal with rising “repeat the bitter experience” it gained from MP says there are promising signs Abe’s advisor plans to visit Tehran. Middle East,” he said. tensions in the Middle East and stabilize the the negotiations that led to the conclusion of ISNA reported on Monday that Abe’s advisor Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif current situation.” the nuclear deal (officially called the JCPOA), in reviving Tehran-Riyadh ties will most probably be in Tehran on Wednesday. and Abe met in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Pointing to his meeting with Leader of the which Washington later ditched. The visit is in line with Japan’s efforts to August 28. Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei During his joint press conference with POLITICAL TEHRAN — Deputy Chairman of Parliament’s de-escalate tension between Iran and the According to Reuters, Zarif said that Iran in Tehran in June, Abe said that Ayatollah Rouhani on June 12, Abe said he will use his desk National Security and Foreign Policy Committee United States. is not seeking to increase tension but every Khamenei promised that Iran does not seek country’s “utmost effort” to deescalate tension Kamal Dehghani Firouzabadi has said that there are promising President Hassan Rouhani met with Abe country should be able to enjoy its rights under to build nuclear weapons. in the Persian Gulf and the wider Middle East signs in revitalizing ties between Tehran and Riyadh. in New York in September on the sidelines of international law. Abe visited Tehran on June 12 for a two- region. In an article published by IRNA on Monday, he said it seems the UN General Assembly. “As our president has said, we are not at day visit. “Japan will use its utmost effort to reduce that future of relations has become more promising. On August 30, Abe said that he plans to all seeking heightened tensions,” Zarif said, During a meeting with Abe on June 13, tension in the region,” he said. “We can point three signs in this respect. First is negotiations on do everything he can to ease tension in the speaking through a translator. Ayatollah Khamenei described U.S. Presi- Abe said, “Increase in tensions in the region Hajj [in August] which were held without impediment and reached Middle East region. He said, “We believe every country should dent Donald Trump as a person not worthy must be contained at any price, and Japan can to maximum results. The second is direct talks between Iranian and “Peace and stability in the Middle East di- be able to enjoy its rights under international of exchanging messages with. play a quite constructive role in this regard.” Saudi oil ministers [in October] during which the officials called rectly links to Japan’s national interest,” Reuters law.” Abe visited Iran after a meeting with Presi- “Peace and stability of the Middle East re- each other ‘friend’ despite tension in past years…Third, and most quoted Abe as saying in a news conference at According to The Mainichi, Zarif said, “Iran dent Trump in Tokyo. He said he was carrying gion is essential not only for the prosperity of important one, is Saudi Arabia’s call for mediation,” he wrote. the end of a three-day international conference welcomes the Japanese government’s role (in a message from Trump for dialogue with Iran. this region, but also for the prosperity of the However, he said that there are still some “worries” and “concerns”. on African development. trying) to ease tensions in the Middle East.” However, Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran entire world,” Abe noted. “Undoubtedly, certain regional players, with the Israeli regime at the head of them, will never tolerate de-escalation. Even the United States can tale the same position as Israel, because continuation of tension in the Middle East will be a profitable market for Washington Rouhani says separating budget from oil requires ‘precise surgery’ to sell weapons,” he opined. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Tehran on Sunday Turkish move against Syria ‘unacceptable’, president notes as a mediator to reduce tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He met with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan meeting that guarantees the nation’s interests and I am knot is relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will be Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani. deskRouhani said on Monday that separating proud to be sacrificed for my people.” untied,” the president remarked. Khan is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. budget from oil revenues requires a “precise surgery”. He said that Iran is ready to hold talks within the 5+1 He added that Iran’s relations with the United Arab On Saturday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Tehran is ready “Budget and oil are twins and separating them requires group whenever the sanctions are removed. Emirates is improving. for talk with Saudi Arabia with or without a mediator. a precise surgery which is difficult at the beginning,” he ‘U.S. committed great mistake by quitting The president said Iran has two clear messages for the During a joint press conference with Khan, Rouhani indirectly said during a press conference. JCPOA’ world: Iran is seeking peace in the region and it is ready referred to Saudi Arabia by saying that Iran will give positive response He noted that the government is making planning Rouhani also said the Trump administration committed for negotiations. to “good intention”. to reduce reliance on oil revenues in the next Iranian a great mistake by abandoning the nuclear deal, official Rouhani also said that Iran does not approve of “Iran welcomes good intention and efforts by the Pakistani calendar year’s budget, which starts on March 21, 2020. known as the JCPOA. Turkey’s military attack on northern Syria, which started prime minister to settle tension in the region to restore peace and The president also said that Iran has become more On May 8, 2018, Donald Trump officially quit the on Wednesday. stability to the region,” he said. powerful politically and internationally. nuclear deal and ordered sanctions against Iran. His “Turkey has concerns about north of Syria and we accept During a separate meeting with Khan, Ayatollah Khamenei, “Today, we can firmly announce that plots of the administration not only returned sanctions lifted under them. We accept a country’s security concerns. Turkey is Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said that ending war in Yemen United States, the global hegemony, Zionism and regional the JCPOA it added news ones. our friend. However, we do not accept the method it has will have positive effects on the Middle East region. reactionary countries to harm the system have ended. All In April, the United States ordered a total ban on Iran’s oil chosen. This is not a good method. There exists better “The Islamic Republic of Iran presented a four-point plan of them have confessed that we have passed the crisis export, a move intended to strangulate the Iranian economy. methods,” he stated. to end war in Yemen a long time ago and if this war ends in through resistance and vigilance,” he stated. Trump himself has acknowledged “economic war” on Iran ‘Any country which attacked Iran’s oil tanker a right way, it can have positive effects on the region,” the The president said in this “great psychological, economic in line with his administration’s “maximum pressure” policy. must wait for consequences’ Leader said. and political war all resisted and broke the back of the ‘Iran’s ties with UAE is improving’ Rouhani also pointed to attack on Iran’s oil tanker on He described peace and security in West Asia as very “sensitive” crisis.” Rouhani also said that Iran has always sought to have Friday, saying any country which carried out the attack and “important” and expressed regret over certain regional countries’ He noted that the world praises the Iranians’ resistance good relations with its neighbors, noting must wait for its consequences. “destructive” role in supporting terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria against pressures. Iran has no problem to hold talks with Saudi Arabia. “All countries should know that causing insecurity in and causing war and bloodshed in Yemen. Rouhani said economic indicators suggest that the “In order to solve regional issues, especially relations the region does not mean putting pressure against the The Leader added, “We have no motivation for animosity with country’s economy is moving toward stability. between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the issue of Yemen is Islamic Republic of Iran and means pressure against the these countries, but they are influenced by the United States and Elsewhere, Rouhani said, “I am ready to attend any important. If a ceasefire is reached and the war ends, a international security and economy,” he said. act against the Islamic Republic of Iran in line with the United States’ will.” Elsewhere in his talks with Prime Minister Khan, Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran has never initiated a war “but if anyone starts Iran expresses sympathy with Japan over deadly typhoon a war against Iran will undoubtedly regret.” The Pakistani prime minister visited Iran as the tension in POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian For- has left at least 42 people dead. Monday that 198 people were injured in stayed home, but others headed to shelters. desk the region is getting more complicated. On Friday morning, an eign Ministry spokesman Typhoon Hagibis tore through Tokyo the storm. Reportedly 15 are also missing. NHK said some died while trying to make Iranian oil tanker was struck by two missiles in the Red Sea, 60 Abbas Mousavi has issued a message express- and large swaths of Japan’s main island of According to the Washington Post, the their way to shelters. miles away from Saudi coastlines. ing sympathy with the Japanese government Honshu on Saturday. government advised nearly 8 million people Around 200,000 homes were without Khan had said that he was making an effort to mediate between and people over destructive typhoon which Public broadcaster NHK reported on to evacuate. Many ignored the advice and power on Sunday, Japanese media reported. Tehran and Riyadh. He held talks with Saudi Arabia’s leaders in Riyadh, as well as Rouhani at the United Nations in September. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an in- terview with CBS’s 60 Minutes program aired on September 29 Embassy: British experts in Iran to upgrade Arak reactor that he preferred a peaceful resolution with Iran, describing it POLITICAL TEHRAN – A team of British experts to develop a modern and up to date civil nuclear program. as “much better than the military” option. deskarrived in Iran on Monday to begin work “Our work with Iran on the Arak project has made im- to upgrade the Arak heavy water nuclear reactor, the British portant progress in the past year,” it said. embassy in Tehran said. Tensions have been escalating between Iran and the Iran removed the core of the Arak facility and filled United States since May last year when President Donald Expediency Council sets part of it with cement as part of a 2015 deal that gave the Trump pulled out of the nuclear accord and began re-im- aside Palermo bill country relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its posing sanctions. nuclear program. France 24 reported. The remaining partners in the deal with Iran include 1 The Financial Action Task Force announced in June Located southwest of Tehran, the reactor is to be mod- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. that Iran had until October to complete reforms that would bring ernized with the help of foreign experts under the deal The European parties have repeatedly said they are it into line with global norms or face consequences. known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). committed to saving the accord, but their efforts have so One of the actions Iran is required to take to appease the FATF “A team of British nuclear experts led by UK Chief Sci- far borne little fruit. is joining the United Nations Convention against Transnational entific Adviser Professor Robin Grimes arrived in Tehran Tehran has already hit back three times with coun- Organized Crime (UNTOC), which is also called the Palermo today to take forward the next stages of the modernization termeasures in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the Convention, a 2000 United Nations-sponsored multilateral of the Arak reactor, alongside a team of Chinese experts,” nuclear deal. treaty against transnational organized crime. said the British embassy. “This visit forms part of our commitment to ensuring On July 1, Iran said it had increased its stockpile of The other action is to ratify the CFT, the convention combat- “The experts will hold talks with the Atomic Energy that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) pro- enriched uranium to beyond a 300-kilogram maximum set ting financing of terrorism. Organization of Iran (AEOI) on international technical vides benefits for both Iran and the wider international by the deal, and a week later, it announced it had exceeded On October 7, 2018, the Majlis (parliament) voted in favor assistance to the reactor construction,” it said in a statement. community,” said the statement. a 3.67-percent cap on the purity of its uranium stocks. of the CFT. However, the oversight Guardian Council rejected The British experts would remain in Iran for three days, “That is why we are upholding our obligations to coop- In its latest move it fired up advanced centrifuges to the bill by finding 22 faults with it. the embassy told AFP. erate with Iran to modernize the Arak reactor, helping Iran boost its enriched uranium stockpiles on September 7. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y OCTOBER 15, 2019 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Even U.S. allies admit region would be Ruhollah Zam, head of more secure without U.S., says Shamkhani anti-Iranian Telegram POLITICAL TEHRAN — Ali Sham- time to stop U.S. soldiers’ participation channel, arrested by IRGC deskkhani, secretary of in an “endless war.” Iran’s Supreme National Security Council “I don’t think our soldiers should be 1 In its statement, the IRGC said it lured Zam into Iran (SNSC), says Washington’s moves in the there for the next 50 years guarding a using “clever, multidimensional and innovative tricks”, region have even prompted its regional border between Turkey and Syria when which even deceived foreign intelligence agencies. allies to confess that the Middle East we can’t guard our own borders at home,” It said Zam was supported by those intelligence services would be a more secure place without he told a crowd of evangelicals. to foment a psychological war on Iran in order to create the presence of the U.S. Following the U.S. withdrawal, divisions inside the country, especially targeting the younger “It seems that America’s ruling body has Turkey launched its military cam- generations. concluded that the world’s power equation paign against Syria which Ankara says and political geometry, especially in its is meant to purge the Syrian region heart the Middle East, has changed and of YPG militants. Turkey views YPG the United States cannot have a claim of militants as terrorists linked to local absolute supremacy over international autonomy-seeking militants of the affairs anymore,” Shamkhani said in a Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). note, Mehr reported on Monday. The YPG, which itself is the military He maintained the U.S. has realized wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democrat- it has only two options: either paying ic Union Party (PYD), constitutes the a great cost to try to show that it is a backbone of the SDF, an anti-Damas- superpower or recognizing the realities cus alliance of predominantly Kurdish of the world and freeing itself from the militants. hefty costs of such an empty show-off. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- Shamkhani referred to Washington’s Saudi policing of the region, the Yemen The remarks came after U.S. Presi- dogan said on Friday that Ankara will The statement also pointed out that Zam’s activities failures in the region, including the dis- war, the Afghan peace and the Syrian dent Donald withdrew American forces not stop its military operation against were intended to form the bedrock of violent and terrorist integration of the Middle East, the deal crisis, saying all these failures attest to from Syria. Kurdish militants in northeastern Syria acts in Iran. of the century, regime change in Iran, the decline of the U.S. power. On Saturday, Trump said that it was “no matter what anyone says.” The IRGC also said the French intelligence service was behind Zam’s activities, which were also backed by the U.S. and Zionist regime’s spy services. Back in December 2017, Telegram blocked Amad News Intelligence minister: Two terror groups disbanded in southeastern Iran for encouraging people to violence after a request by Iranian Minister of Communications and Information Technology POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian Intelligence Minis- Sajedinia said border crossings were overcrowded but Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi. desk ter Seyed Mahmoud Alavi announced people were crossing through the gates smoothly. “A Telegram channel is urging people to incite insecurity on Monday that two terrorist groups who intended to do He also asked Iranian pilgrims to use all three available and use home-made bombs and arms. Isn’t it time to stop sabotage acts on the route of Arbaeen pilgrims have been border crossings to prevent overcrowding at the Khosravi promoting violence?” said Azari Jahromi in his Twitter disbanded in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. border checkpoint, which is a popular exit point for Iranians account, mentioning the Telegram founder Pavel Durov. Underscored his ministry’s upper hand in detecting and leaving the country. Durov, in return, tweeted, “Calls for violence are prohibited countering any terrorist plot amid the Arbaeen march, Alavi The Arbaeen march, which is the largest religious by the Telegram rules. If confirmed, we’ll have to block such said, “Two terrorist groups that had planned to conduct gathering in the world, comes 40 days after Ashura, the a channel, regardless of its size and political affiliation.” terrorist operation during the Arbaeen time were identified martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the The tweet was followed by the closure of Amad News and their members were arrested.” second Imam of Shia Muslims and the grandson of Prophet channel, which had over 1.3 million followers at the time. He further said that a sum of 50 fire guns were seized Muhammad (PBUH). However, Zam resumed his activities by launching a from the terrorist groups. This year, Arbaeen falls on Saturday, October 19. new channel called Seday-e Mardom, which is translated The intelligence minister, who paid a visit to the Shlam- Each year, a huge crowd of people flock to Karbala, where as “voice of the people”. cheh border crossing in Khuzestan province on Monday to the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform In its latest post on Monday, Seday-e Mardom reported monitor movements of pilgrims to Iraq, traveled to Chazabeh, mourning rituals. the arrest of Ruhollah Zam by the Guards. The post was another passageway of pilgrims. By Thursday more than 3 million people had registered attached to a promotional footage of the IRGC Intelligence Secretary of the Security and Law Enforcement Com- “The number of pilgrims who have crossed land and air to participate in the Arbaeen march. Organization and followed by the flag of the Islamic Republic mittee of the Arbaeen Central Headquarters recently said borders has crossed the two-million mark, and the figure is This year, visa requirement was removed for the pilgrims of Iran, which suggested that the channel is now under the more than two million Iranian pilgrims have crossed the expected to cross 2.2 million by midnight,” Hossein Sajedinia as a “positive step” toward paving the way for Iranian pilgrims control of the IRGC. border into Iraq to attend the Arbaeen ritual. said on Thursday, Mehr reported. visiting the neighboring country.

Salami: Iran defeating enemy by MP says Turkey should immediately Iranian oil tanker’s distress relying on God end Syria incursion call for help in Red Sea went unnoticed: PMO

POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Iranian Ports and Mari- desktime Organization (PMO) has announced in a statement posted on its official website that none of the regional maritime bodies responded to calls for help by the Iranian oil tanker Sabiti when it came under missile attack off the Saudi coast in the Red Sea on Friday morning. “No regional maritime administration responded to calls for assistance by MT Sabiti, and the PMO considers this in contrast and violation of international customary requirements, as well as humanitarian principles,” the organization stated.

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Chief of last month, in response to the Saudi-led POLITICAL TEHRAN — An Ira- Addressing a large number of wor- deskthe Islamic Revolution war on their country. desknian parliamentarian shippers in Tehran, Ayatollah Khata- Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami The Yemeni Houthi Ansarullah move- on Monday condemned Turkish military mi termed the Turkish army’s heavy said on Monday that the Islamic Republic ment immediately took responsibility for aggression on Syria, saying it is neces- attack on the northern part of Syria as is defeating the enemy by relying on God. the attacks, but U.S. Secretary of State sary that Ankara withdraw its forces a blatant aggression against an inde- The PMO said it is releasing this statement to clarify the ambi- “Now, we are defeating the enemy Mike Pompeo swiftly accused Iran of from the northern part of the war-hit pendent country, calling on Ankara guities surrounding the terrorist attack on Sabiti and also disprove and we move forward,” Tasnim quoted being behind the assault, without pro- country as soon as possible. not to repeat a mistake done by Riyadh claims of intention to assist the vessel at the time of distress. Salami as saying. viding any evidence. Tehran categorically “The Turkish troops’ attack on Syria is which is now in a Washington-made Following is text of the statement posted on the PMO website: The major general added that the de- rejected the allegations. a blatant aggression. Turkey must put an trap in Yemen. 1) On 11 October 2019, MT Sabiti was on her way toward the velopments on the ground have happened Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia claimed immediate end to the incursion of Syria,” “Iran’s stance is an advising position Mediterranean Sea through the Red Sea (some 60 miles off the easily and will continue. that the strikes on its oil infrastructure Mohammad Esmaiel Saeidi, Far reported. which is meant immediate halt (of the coast of Saudi Arabia and Jeddah Port) when she suffered a ter- “We regard God as the world’s ruler, not came from the “north” and were “unques- Respecting the countries’ territorial Operation Peace Spring) and withdrawal rorist attack, most probably by two missiles, at 01:30 and 01:50 America,” he said, highlighting the impor- tionably” sponsored by Iran, adding that integrity is respected internationally, he of forces from the Syrian soil.” GMT. As a result, two of her tanks were damaged, spilling crude tance of relying on God to progress. the Houthis were not responsible for the said, adding, “So no one is allowed to ignore “I have an advice to the Turkish gov- oil into the sea, and the ship was listed to the starboard side. The remarks came amid increased assault despite claiming it. other nations’ territorial integrity under ernment. Saudi Arabia as a servant of 2) From 05:11 to 07:20 GMT, the vessel released 16 distress tensions between Iran and the U.S. af- Shortly after the Saudi announcement, pretext of providing its own security.” the U.S. accepted Washington’s order alerts through three different means, on MF, HF, SAT-C, and VHF ter the Islamic Republic shot down an the spokesman for Yemeni Armed Forces, “According to latest estimates, a sum of and now it has fallen in a swamp made channels. As no response were received from regional maritime advanced U.S spy drone over its territorial however, reiterated it was behind the attack, 150,000 people have been displaced since by Washington. The Saudis wanted to put rescue coordination centers (MRCCs), the vessel proceeded to waters in June. stressing that the Houthis have new drones, the launch of Turkish attack on northern an end to the Yemen issue in one week, correspond through email to MRCCs in Jeddah Port, Egypt and The IRGC said on June 20 that a U.S. spy powered by “normal and jet engines” that Syria which has pushed the displaced peo- but now (nearly) after five years, these Sudan at 08:20, announcing that the vessel had been struck and drone that violated the Iranian territorial can reach targets deep in Saudi Arabia. ple into trouble,” regretted Saeidi, who are Yemeni combatants that have gained damaged, probably by two missiles. Moreover, the ship was listed airspace in the early hours of the day was “Our forces have reached a high level represents Tabriz in the parliament. upper hand, therefor, Turkey should be to the starboard side, spilling crude oil into the sea, and thus shot down by the IRGC Aerospace Force’s air of efficiency and ability. They can man- “Turkey must learn lesson from Sau- very careful in order not to fall in a similar requested immediate assistance. At 05:50 GMT, furthermore, defense unit near the Kooh-e-Mobarak region ufacture various types of unmanned dis’ fate in their aggression on Yemen trap made by the U.S.,” the Friday prayers the Iranian MRCC Bandar Abbas announced the situation to in the southern province of Hormozgan. aerial vehicles in record time. The and try not to repeat Riyadh’s mistake,” leader remarked. MRCC Jeddah through telephone, yet the latter did not confirm The intruding drone was reportedly Second Deterrent Balance Operation, the MP warned. Turkey launched an offensive on the receipt of the distress alerts, considered the issue to be an shot by homegrown air defense missile which targeted Saudi oil installations, In relevant remarks, Tehran’s provision- the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) exaggeration by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), system “Khordad-3rd”. is a perfect example of the capabilities al Friday prayers leader Ayatollah Seyed on Wednesday. This happened despite and promised to investigate and respond subsequently. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran of our forces in terms of planning and Ahmad Khatami said that Turkish troops’ warnings by Iran, Russia, Egypt, and the 3) At 07:30 GMT, MRCC Jeddah still maintained their oblivion escalated further after Yemeni armed forces implementation,” Brigadier General operation in northern Syria was nothing European Union. The Syrian Kurdish fight- of the situation. conducted a large-scale operation against Yahya Saree said during a press con- but aggression against an independent ers commonly referred to as the SDF, were 4) At 10:00 GMT, two helicopters flew from a naval vessel in Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil installations ference in the capital Sana’a. country and condemned the move. instrumental in defeating Daesh. the vicinity towards the distressed tanker, made two rounds and returned to their base vessel. 5) In the meantime, the distressed tanker and MRCC Ban- Leader visits Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi in hospital dar Abbas announced the situation to MRCC Jeddah, through 1 According to his website, Ayatollah Makarem students from amongst his fellow classmates and However through the hand of fate and the blessings different channels and in accordance with international regula- Shirazi was born in the year 1924 in the city of Shiraz because of this, was able to complete two years of of the Maintainer of the Universe and his own internal tions. However, despite the emphasis by international maritime into a religious family who were well known for their studies in one year. desires, this young man developed an attraction to be- requirements and the dire need of the tanker for assistance to great level of spirituality and noble ethical traits. The conditions that existed in Iran in those days obli- coming better acquainted and delve deep into the genuine regain her stability, no relevant measures were taken in the re- The eminent scholar finished his elementary school gated this young man - who possessed such a talent and teachings of Islam, especially since after the spring of gion. The PMO as the competent maritime administration of studies in Shiraz and due to his eagerness to learn, great aptitude to choose the path of university studies to 1937 (just after he finished his primary school), the Is- the Islamic Republic of Iran considers this to be in contrast and his powerful memorizing capabilities and other great increase his knowledge and attain the higher (material) lamic seminaries went through a major transformation violation to international custom and standards, as well as hu- talents, he was regarded as one of the extraordinary levels of secular studies. and had taken on a completely new form. manitarian principles. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY OCTOBER 15, 2019

STOCK MARKET Chabahar Port’s capacity quadruples TEDPIX 319871.5 IFX 4057.98 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir in less than 2 years: PMO head

ECONOMY TEHRAN — The head of a great extent in a way that most shipping CURRENCIES deskIran’s Ports and Maritime lines are interested in shipping their goods Organization (PMO) announced that through via this port.” USD 42,000 rials inaugurating the first phase of Chabahar Port’s Cement, minerals and construction stones EUR 46,345 rials development plan, the port’s capacity has are main export products in this southern increased four times in less than two years, province which are exported to various coun- GBP 52,977 rials IRIB reported on Monday. tries through this port, he added. AED 11,437 rials Making the remarks during a specialized Located at southeastern Iran, on the Gulf meeting on development of Chabahar, Mo- of Oman, Chabahar is the home for Iran’s Source: cbi.ir hammad Rastad said the port’s capacity has only oceanic port. increased to 8 million tons from 2 million tons Due to its strategic geographical position- through the first phase and it is expected to ing, Chabahar port holds a great significance rise to 33 million tons through the second for Iran both politically and economically. COMMODITIES phase, which is currently 30 percent complete. After years of negotiation, Iran has The official further highlighted that Chaba- awarded the development project of this Brent $59.33/b har can berth the vessels with the capacity of port to India, and the South Asian country WTI $53.50/b up to 100,000 tons. committed $500 million to build two new As previously announced by the head of berths in this port. OPEC Basket $58.71/b Ports and Maritime Department of Sistan-Bal- However, after the U.S. reimposed sanc- Gold $1,494.00/oz uchestan Province (where the port lies), exports tions on Iran in November, the future of many of commodities from Iran’s southeastern port Iranian projects including Chabahar port was Silver $$17.63/oz of Chabahar has risen 100 percent during the shadowed by the consequences of the sanctions. first half of the current Iranian calendar year Afghan commodities via Chabahar Port has of sanctions against Iran, the official said, But following several rounds of negotiations Platinium $900.35/oz (March 21-Septemeber 22) compared to the doubled during the first six months of this year. “The U.S. has exempted Chabahar Port from and discussions with New Delhi, the U.S. ad- Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com first half of the past year. In terms of transport and shipping situa- sanctions. U.S. sanctions waiver in this port ministration finally exempted the Chabahar Behrouz Aqaei also said that transit of tion in this port after the U.S.’s reimposition has decreased insurance cost of vessels to project from the sanctions. Annual garden, greenhouse ‘Budget allocated for development products anticipated to rise TPO offers roadmap for improving projects to rise 53% next year’ 17% by Mar. 2020 non-oil exports ECONOMY TEHRAN – Head of ECONOMY TEHRAN – Head of ECONOMY TEHRAN — Production of garden and green- deskIran’s Trade Promotion deskIran’s Planning and deskhouse products in Iran is anticipated to increase Organization (TPO) said a roadmap has been Budget Organization (PBO) said 430 17 percent in the current Iranian calendar year (ends on March prepared for promoting the country’s non-oil trillion rials (about $10.2 billion) is 19, 2020) from that of the previous year, deputy agriculture exports to 15 neighboring countries, Tasnim going to be allocated for development minister announced. news agency reported on Monday. projects in the next year’s budget plan, “Considering the country’s current eco- up 53 percent from the figure for the nomic situation and re-imposition of the U.S. current year. sanctions, we need a new roadmap that fits in “We intend to invest as much as we with the new market regulation; so a roadmap can in development sector in the next for promoting non-oil exports should be formed [Iranian calendar] year (starts on March in line with the market regulation roadmap government has it on the agenda to increase 19, 2020), so we have increased the budget a time of economic warfare, more tax and this will happen within the next month,” the value of exports to Iran’s 15 neighbors up for this sector by 53 percent to achieve revenues will be provided,” he explained. Hamid Zadboum told the state TV on Sunday to $50 billion. significant growth,” Mohammad Baqer Back in September, Nobakht had an- evening. “Our goal is to be able to meet five percent Nobakht said on the sidelines of the 12th nounced that the government was going The official stated that the government of our neighboring countries’ needs, which meeting of the budget headquarters on to submit the budget bill for the next Ira- should reduce export bans and restrictions would amount to more than $50 billion a Monday. nian calendar year to the parliament on and uses tolls and tariffs instead, to regulate year considering the total imports of all the 15 Last week, Nobakht had announced December 6 as scheduled. the domestic market. countries which is at least $1 trillion annually,” that the government is going to allocate According to the official, this year, PBO According to Zadboum, lack of long-term Modares Khiabani said. all revenues from oil sales to the devel- has decided to send the information about planning for promotion of exports has resulted “Necessary planning and investigations opment projects following structural the state-owned companies’ budget to the in a situation in which export development have been made for achieving this target,” reforms in the next Iranian calendar Majlis (Iranian parliament) a month earlier In an interview conducted by ILNA, Mohammad-Ali Tahmasbi does not take place. he added. year’s budget bill. so that the parliament would have enough also said that the ministry’s anticipation for production of these “Our government backs importers more The official expressed hope that the men- According to the official, the revenues time to review it. products has been realized during the first half of the current rather than supporting exporters, today we tioned goal would be realized before the Iranian gained from elimination of hidden energy The members of the budget preparation year and in case of no unexpected condition such as sudden would have large export companies in the calendar year of 1400 (which starts in March subsidies as well as increased tax incomes committee at PBO are seriously working change of weather the anticipated figure will come true for the country if the government supported the 2021), saying that the Institute for Trade Stud- will replace oil revenues. on the bill and while the views may differ second half as well. exporters as much as the importers,” he said. ies and Research and also Trade Promotion “This does not mean a rise in tax in- in some areas, the consensus among all The official put the expected output of the mentioned products In late August, Iran’s Deputy Industry Organization are currently developing detailed come; but by setting new tax bases and members will be the base for the final de- for this year at 23.737 million tons and said the figure has been Minister Hossein Modares Khiabani said the plans to achieve this goal. eliminating unnecessary exemptions at cision making, Nobakht said. 20.454 million tons in the past year. EU’s largest economy, Singapore Central Bank eases policy as economy avoids recession Germany is now its ‘major Singapore eased monetary policy for the first time since 2016, expected to come in at the lower end of the 1-2% range in 2019 seeking to shore up growth as the trade-reliant economy nar- and average 0.5-1.5% in 2020. underperformer’: Credit Suisse rowly missed falling into recession. All-items CPI is projected to be around 0.5% this year and As stated by freemalaysiatoday.com, the Monetary Authority average 0.5-1.5% in 2020. EU’s largest economy, Germany is now its ‘major of Singapore (MAS), which uses the exchange rate as its main “We think the MAS’ core inflation forecast for 2020 sug- underperformer’ – Credit Suisse London-based economists at policy tool, reduced “slightly the rate of appreciation” of the gests the door for further easing is open, if needed,” said Divya the investment banking company Credit Suisse have named currency band, while keeping unchanged the width and the Devesh, head of Southeast and South Asia currency research Germany a “major underperformer” of the European block of level at which it is centered. at Standard Chartered Plc in Singapore. countries, citing a significant decrease in the nation’s GDP “MAS will continue to closely monitor economic develop- The MAS guides the local dollar against a basket of its coun- and purchasing power. ments and is prepared to recalibrate monetary policy should terparts and adjusts the pace of its appreciation or depreciation According to shelbybusinessjournal.com, the ongoing trade prospects for inflation and growth weaken significantly,” the by changing the slope, width and center of a currency band. slump remains challenging for the German economy. Once the central bank said. It doesn’t disclose details of the basket, or the band or the major outperformer of the euro-area economy, (Germany)) In a separate report, data showed gross domestic product pace of appreciation or depreciation. is now the major underperformer, its huge trade imbalance rebounded from a contraction in the second quarter, gaining Central bankers globally are taking a more dovish stance as a huge burden”, the experts stated, as by Fox Business. an annualized 0.6% in the third quarter from the previous S$1.3719 against the U.S. currency as of 8.38am in Singapore. U.S.-China tensions weigh on growth and as manufacturing This valuation was issued after Credit Suisse economists three months. The monetary policy decision weakness threatens to spill over into services sectors. reviewed the latest economic indicators. For instance, they That was lower than the 1.2% median estimate in a Bloomb- The monetary policy decision was predicted by 14 of the In Singapore, authorities have taken a gradual approach note that the German economy grew at mere 0.4 percent year- erg survey of economists. 22 economists surveyed by Bloomberg, with the remainder as they monitor risks and keep a close watch on labor-market over-year from April through June, its weakest indicators in Compared with a year ago, GDP rose 0.1%, unchanged projecting a more aggressive move to a zero slope. indicators that so far have stayed resilient. over six years. They also noted the country’s economy showed from the second quarter. The MAS held policy in April after tightening twice last year. “You’re still going to be skating on relatively thin ice” through a 0.1 percent quarter-over-quarter decrease, which signified “GDP numbers, despite skirting a technical recession, do Singapore’s growth is expected to pick up gradually next year-end and into 2020, Selena Ling, head of treasury research Germany was Europe’s only major economy to shrink in the not make for an upbeat read,” said Vishnu Varathan, head of year, “although this projection is subject to considerable un- and strategy at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp in Singapore, past several months. economics and strategy in Singapore. certainty in the external environment,” the MAS said. said on Bloomberg Television. However, according to Credit Suisse economists, German The “manufacturing recession continues. The outlook is GDP growth will likely be around the midpoint of 0-1% “In this current trade environment, there’s very, very lit- hardships would not affect other European states as Germany at best hazy, if not gloomy.” forecast range in 2019. The output gap has turned “slightly tle that monetary policy easing in itself can do to change the has a “huge current account surplus” – around $276 billion. The Singapore dollar gained after the decision, rising 0.1% to negative” and expected to persist into 2020. Core inflation is overall story.” It is the largest account surplus globally, formed by large export volumes and lower imports due to small domestic demand. Credit Suisse also expects the European Central Bank to help ease the situation in case other economies in the region Vietnam tops list of trade performers in ASEAN start struggling, for instance, by further lowering rates. By Ha Nguyen gration is paying off,” Nirukt Sapru, who is the has increased its budget deficit as it expects and consumer confidence.” Long-term refinancing operations chief executive officer for Vietnam, Southeast to receive less in tax revenues in the near fu- Those risks matter to Vietnam, too, however. “Resumption of asset purchases and new long-term Vietnam has just topped a list of economic per- Asia, and South Asia at Standard Chartered ture, in part because of business slowing down The slowdown from the trade war could hurt refinancing operations (by ECB) should be supportive of formers in Southeast Asia, a list that Standard Bank, said last week. The “country has now from the China-U.S. trade war. The related Vietnam, as could a downgrade to its sovereign domestic demand outside Germany,” the economists noted. Chartered Bank calls the “rising stars” of global become the fastest-growing economy in the slowdown is decreasing Philippine exports, debt rating, which is currently under review. They cited the situation in Italy as an example. trade based on improvements the countries region, a clear indicator of the benefits the including the important export of rice, which Moody’s Analytics chief Asia Pacific economist “For example, that shift in policy (…) led to a huge fall in have made and their future potential. country is reaping from an open economy.” is experiencing decreasing prices. Steve Cochrane and economist Steven Shields Italian government bond yields. That more than reversed the The bank’s new Trade20 Index looks at 20 Good news in the country is in contrast to In Singapore the OCBC Bank forecast third note some other risk factors to consider in the financial tightening of last year that contributed materially countries with promise around the world, and the region and the rest of the world. Vietnam’s quarter economic growth at 0.3 percent an- country. These include an aging population, to Italy‘s slowdown,” the economists explained. Vietnam ranks No. 6 on the index. However economic growth of close to 7 percent a year is nualized, slightly higher than the 0.1 percent a labor shortage, lower levels of productivity As a remedy to the current sluggishness in the German among the list’s countries in Southeast Asia, about twice the rate of growth of the worldwide of the second quarter. and expertise compared with Chinese rivals, economy, Credit Suisse offered two measures: an end to the Vietnam is No. 1, moving past the likes of In- economy. And neighbors in Southeast Asia are “This means that the Singapore economy and geopolitical tensions. trade war between the U.S. and China or an introduction of donesia and Thailand. dealing with a variety of worries. will likely escape a technical recession,” Selena The tensions have created uncertainty over a German fiscal stimulus, although the latter is unlikely, as The factors in Vietnam’s favor, according Improvements to infrastructure Ling, head of treasury research and strategy Vietnam’s oil exploration with Exxon in the Germany is too keen on sustaining a balanced budget. to the bank, include improved infrastructure, Improvements to infrastructure in Vietnam, at OCBC Bank, said. She added, however, South China Sea, where the country has terri- Also, the latest move by the World Trade Organization diverse trade with many countries and products like Ho Chi Minh City’s roads and bridges, the “biggest risk remains the fragility of the torial disputes with China and other countries. (WTO) could further shatter Germany’s economy. Earlier this especially amid the China-U.S. trade war, and helped move it up the trade rankings. external environment and the prospect of “There remains lingering distrust between week, WTO ruled that Washington may impose economic political stability. The single-party term of the Improvements to infrastructure in Vietnam, anemic global growth amid the myriad of the two countries and rising anti-China senti- sanctions on EU states after it became known that U.S. plane- Communist Party since 1975 is the longest in like Ho Chi Minh City’s roads and bridges, uncertainties pertaining to U.S.-China ten- ments in Vietnam due to recent tensions over manufacturer Boeing had lost some $7.5 billion a year due Southeast Asia, after the People’s Action Party helped move it up the trade rankings. sions beyond trade, Brexit, China’s slowdown, the South China Sea disputes,” Cochrane and to subsidies handed out by European governments to its in power in Singapore since 1959. Workers in Malaysia worry their labor un- and geopolitical hotspots in Hong Kong, etc., Shields wrote in a joint analysis. arch-competitor, Europe’s own Airbus. “Vietnam’s economic openness and inte- ions are losing power, while the government which could continue to weigh on business (Source: voanews.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y OCTOBER 15, 2019 ENERGY 5

“Oil for development” budget, Plan for supplying nomadic households with mobile PV challenges and opportunities systems underway ENERGY TEHRAN – Iran’s Energy Ministry has started deska plan for providing 25,000 nomadic house- By Ebrahim Fallahi every year could be spent in a variety of more purposeful, more fruitful areas. The country’s holds across the country with portable photovoltaic systems so TEHRAN – Iran has recently announced industry should compete in order to grow, that they could use electricity during migration. that its next fiscal year’s budget is going to be people must learn to use more wisely and to According to the program’s Executive Director Ali Chehel-Ami- set with less reliance on oil revenues. protect the environment. rani, the plan is set to be completed by the Iranian calendar year Last week, Head of the Country’s Budget However, practically speaking, all the above of 1400 (starts in March 2021), the portal of the Energy Ministry and Planning Organization (BPO) Mohammad mentioned alternatives are in fact long term (known as Paven) reported on Monday. Baqer Nobakht said “In the next year’s budget programs which take time to become fully Pointing to the fact that since the 1970s Islamic revolution, – it starts on March 19, 2020 – oil revenues operational. A huge step like eliminating every day four villages have been connected to the national power will be only spent for development projects and hidden subsidiaries cannot be taken over network, the official said, “The number of villages connected to acquisition of capital asset, and not even one a one or event two-year period. the electricity grid has increased 13 times since the revolution rial is going to go to government expenditures The development aspect and now exceeds 57,350.” and other areas.” One big aspect of the government’s current At first glance, the idea is very appealing decision is the “development” part of the and it seems if the government manages to equation. pull it off, it will be a significant step for Iran A big chunk of the country’s revenues in its movement toward an oil-independent is going to be spent on this part and so the economy. However, it seems that cutting oil government is obliged to make sure to choose revenues from the budget and allocating such “development” projects very wisely. them only to a specific part of the country’s Deciding to allocate a huge part of the expenditures is not going to be an easy task. country’s income on a specific sector, makes Although, BPO has already suggested it more prone to corruption, and therefore, various substitute sources of revenue to a plan which is aimed to help the country’s replace those of oil, but some experts believe difficulties”. revenues in the budget planning. economy could become a deteriorating factor that the offered alternatives are not practical Since then up until recently, Iran has been According to the official, elimination of in itself if not wisely executed. in short-term. heavily reliant on its oil revenues for managing hidden energy subsidies, using government The question here is, “Is the government So, how successful will the government be the country’s expenses. However, in the past assets to generate revenue and increasing going to spend oil money on all the projects in executing this plan? What are the challenges few years, and in the face of the U.S. sanctions, tax incomes would be the main sources of which are labeled as ‘development’ even in the way of this program? What are the the issue of oil being used as a political weapon, revenues to compensate for the cut oil incomes. if they lack the technical, economic and chances for it to become fully practical next made the Iranian authorities to, once again, In theory, the mentioned replacements for environmental justification?” “During the last six years, 35 trillion rials (about $834 million) year? think about reducing the country’s reliance oil revenues, not only can generate significant So, the government needs to screen has been spent for development, maintenance and upgrading To answer such questions and to have a on oil revenues. amount of incomes, but they could, in fact, development projects meticulously and of rural electricity grid and electricity supply to villages with- clearer idea of the notion, let’s take a more In the past few years, Iran’s Supreme be huge contributors to the stability of the eliminate the less vital ones and then plan out electricity, 3.5 times more than the figure for six years ago,” detailed look into this [so called] ambitious Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei country’s economy in the long run. according to the remaining truly-important Chehel-Amirani added. program. has repeatedly emphasized the need for For instance, considering the energy projects. He further noted that the country’s electricity network has The history of “oil for development” reducing reliance on oil and has tasked the subsidies, it is obvious that allocating huge Final thoughts been expanded by 250,000 kilometers to supply electricity to It is not the first time that such a program government to find ways to move toward an amounts of energy and fuel subsidies is not Even if the “oil-free” budget is a notion 21.5 million people in rural areas, adding that for the current is being offered in Iran. Removing oil oil-independent economy. a good strategy to follow. which seems a little ambitious at the moment, year, the ministry has planned for spending 15 trillion rials (about revenues from the budget and allocating it Now that Iran has once again decided In 2018, Iran ranked first among the and even if there are great challenges in the $357 million) for supplying electricity to 400 new villages as well to development projects goes way back in to try the “oil for development” plan, the world’s top countries in terms of the way of its realization, but the decision itself is as development, upgrading and maintenance of existing rural Iran’s modern history. question is, what can be changed in a program amount of subsidies which is allocated a huge step toward a better future for Iran’s electricity networks. In 1927, Iranian government at the time, that was aborted 80 years ago to make it to energy consumption with $69 billion economy. Although, realizing this plan seems Referring to the fact that nearly 99.7 percent of the country’s decided to go through with a plan for removing more compatible with the country’s current of subsidies allocated for various types of fairly impossible in the short-term, it surely rural population are currently supplied with electricity, he said oil revenues from the budget, so a bill was economic needs and conditions. energy consumption including oil, natural can be realized with proper planning and “According to the information provided by the International En- approved based on which oil incomes were The substitute sources of income gas and electricity. consideration in the long term. ergy Agency (IEA), this figure is 86 percent in Central and South merely allocated to the country’s development Shortly after BPO announced its decision Based on data from International Energy Sooner or later Iran has to cut off the ties America, 85 percent in Asia, 78 percent in the Middle East and projects. for cutting the oil revenues from the next Agency (IEA), the total amount of allocated of reliance on oil incomes and start moving 36 percent in Africa.” This law was executed until the year 1939 year’s budget, the Head of the organization subsidies in Iran, equals 15 percent of the toward a vibrant, dynamic and oil-free “Our country is in very good condition in terms of rural elec- in which the plan was once again overruled Mohammad-Baqer Nobakht listed three country’s total GDP. economy; a journey of which the first step tricity supply,” he added. due to what was claimed to be “financial alternative sources of income to offset oil The budget that is allocated for subsidies has been already taken. UK renewable energy generation tops oil and Iran’s renewable electricity generation capacity doubled gas for first time, analysis ENERGY TEHRAN —The capacity renewable energy in addition to its huge Overall, in the next five years, Iran is deskof generating electricity fossil energy resources, adding that currently, aiming for a 5,000 MW increase in renewable suggests from renewable resources has reached 841 60,000 MW of wind energy potential has capacity to meet growing domestic demand UK renewables generated more electricity than fossil fuel power megawatts (MW) in Iran, nearly double the been identified across the country. and expand its presence in the regional plants over the past three months, in a new first for the country, figure for the last year’s same period, IRNA Haeri further stressed the growing role electricity market. analysis suggests. reported, quoting an energy official. of renewable power plants in the country’s According to Iran’s Renewable Energy and According to energyvoice.com, the months of July, August and Speaking in the opening ceremony of energy basket, saying “the country’s Energy Efficiency Organization (known as September were the first quarterly period in which renewables Iran’s 4th Renewable Energy Conference renewable power plants provided over 500 SATBA) the number of small scale solar power outpaced fossil fuels since the UK’s first public power generat- on Monday, Homayoun Haeri the deputy MW of electricity to the country’s power plants across the country which are used ing station opened in 1882, climate website Carbon Brief said. minister of energy for electricity affairs, network during the peak consumption period by households or small industries is being Carbon Brief analysis found that in the third quarter of 2019, said “The country’s renewable electricity in summer.” increased noticeably as Iranian households the UK’s wind farms, solar panels, biomass and hydropower generation capacity will rise to 1000 MW Renewables, including hydropower, and small industries have embraced the new Back in February, Head of SATBA Seyed plants generated an estimated total of 29.5 terawatt hours (TWh) by the end of the current [Iranian calendar] account for just six percent of energy technology with open arms and investors Mohammad Sadeqzadeh announced that of power. year (March 19, 2020).” generation, versus natural gas’ 90 percent also seem eager for more contribution in Iran also plans to add electricity generated That is higher than the figure for power stations fired by He noted that Iran has good sources of share. this area. from renewable sources to the export backset. coal, gas and oil, which generated 29.1 terawatt hours, the as- sessment showed. It is the latest milestone in the transformation of the UK’s power supplies, where just a decade ago some three-quarters Oil falls due to caution over first phase of U.S.-China trade deal of generation was coming from fossil fuels. Oil prices fell on Monday as scant details about the first “While the market waits for potential responses from In 2010, coal, gas and oil generated more than 10 times as phase of a trade deal between the United States and China the Iranians, the continued inability of geopolitics to sus- much electricity as renewables. undercut optimism over a U.S.-Sino thaw that had helped tain price gains is a testament to the state of concerns over But since then electricity generation from renewables has lift crude markets by 2% at the end of last week. demand,” JBC analysts said in a note. more than quadrupled and demand has fallen, squeezing the As stated by reuters.com, Brent crude LCOc1 fell 46 cents There are also worries that further escalation along the share of power being generated by fossil fuels, Carbon Brief said. to $60.05 a barrel by 0840 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Syrian and Turkish border could affect output or exports In the third quarter of 2019, some 40% of UK electricity Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 lost 40 cents at $54.30 a from Iraq, providing more support for oil prices. Syrian came from renewables, and on a monthly basis outstripped barrel. Both were down 0.7%. troops entered a northeastern town on Monday. fossil fuels in both August and September – the first time that Late on Friday, the United States and China outlined The Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Sal- has happened in two consecutive months. the first stage of a trade deal and suspended this week’s man, said oil exporters taking part in a global output deal And in the first three quarters of 2019, renewables outpaced scheduled U.S. tariff hikes. But existing tariffs remain in between OPEC and its allies, a grouping known as OPEC+, fossil fuels on 103 of the 273 individual days, more than one- place and officials on both sides said much more work was were showing serious commitment to the cuts. third of the days in the year so far. needed before an accord could be agreed. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said there The analysis, which is based on UK Business Department The “oil market is taking a cautious stance as to what were no talks underway to change the OPEC+ deal. figures for the UK and BM Reports that cover the British grid comes next given that the thorny issues of industrial poli- The compliance of OPEC+ producers with the supply-re- and are adjusted to include Northern Ireland, is the latest to cy, intellectual property rights, technology transfer among duction agreement was seen at above 200% in September, show the transformation of the grid. others were not addressed,” BNP Paribas oil strategist Harry A good portion of their gains came after the United States sources familiar with the matter said on Monday. Low-carbon sources Tchilinguirian said. announced on Friday it was deploying more troops to Saudi China showed strong demand for oil, with its September Earlier this year, Government statistics showed more than Brent and WTI rose more than 3% last week, their first Arabia, and after an Iranian oil tanker was attacked in the imports rising 10.8% from a year earlier as refiners ramped up half of the UK’s electricity in 2018 was generated from low-car- weekly increase in three. Red Sea. output amid stable profit margins and solid demand for fuel. bon sources, with renewables and nuclear reactors providing 52.6% of power generation. Analysis by National Grid in June suggested that for the first time since the Industrial Revolution more British electricity was Putin calls for reduction in global oil inventories to ‘reasonable levels’ set to come from zero-carbon sources, which includes wind, solar, hydro and nuclear but not biomass, in 2019 than from By Jennifer Gnana To tackle the global oversupply, OPEC+ has been cut- largely North American crude grades, also rose above 2 fossil fuels. ting back 1.2 million barrels per day of output since 2017. percent to finish at $54.70 per barrel. That analysis included the mix of power coming through Russian President Vladimir Putin is calling for a reduction The pact is expected to hold until March next year with “We are considering some good joint projects,” Mr. underwater cables known as interconnectors from other coun- in global oil stores to “reasonable levels”, signaling Rus- Saudi Arabia leading the OPEC members in compliance. Putin said. “Our Direct Investment Fund and the Public tries, such as France. sia’s willingness to work with Saudi Arabia in thwarting The kingdom’s output averaged 9.9 million bpd in Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia have jointly established Responding to the analysis, RenewableUK’s director of stra- efforts aimed at destabilizing oil markets. the first eight months and 9.8 million bpd in the second a $10 billion platform … $2b has already been invested.” tegic communications Luke Clark said the massive growth of Putin headed to the kingdom for a visit on Monday quarter of this year, below its supply agreement of 10.3 Work is underway on other schemes with possible renewable power in the UK was “great news not just for the where the two sides are also expected to discuss join en- million bpd under OPEC+ deal, Moody’s said last month. projects likely to be finalized in Saudi Arabia’s down- environment but also for consumers”, with the cost of offshore ergy investments. Putin’s visit comes at a politically sensitive time for the stream sector. wind projects falling to an all-time low, making on and offshore Russia, the biggest sovereign crude producer in the region, just two days after an Iranian oil tanker crossing “We also consider it possible to operate on the territory wind the cheapest largest scale power sources. world, would cooperate with Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s biggest Saudi territorial waters in the Red Sea came under attack. of Saudi Arabia,” Putin said. “One of our companies is The “expansion of clean power is set to accelerate in the oil exporter, to “reduce to zero attempts to destabilize the The global supply exploring the possibility of building a petrochemicals years ahead, as our offshore wind capacity will more than treble oil market”, he told Al Arabiya TV on Sunday. The incident followed a highly volatile month for the oil facility.” by 2030, generating more than a third of the UK’s electricity. Who is in the position to plug a Saudi oil deficit and markets after September 14 attacks on Saudi oil facilities Sibur Holding, a Russian petrochemicals company, The “public wants to see faster action to tackle climate change by how much? halved the country’s output, knocking out 5 percent of was considering more than $1b in investments in the and meet our net zero emissions target. Putin’s arrival in the kingdom comes amid a strength- global supply. kingdom, he said. “If government were to back a range of technologies – like ening of ties between the two countries, which lead an Brent finished higher last week after Friday’s attack The two sides are also looking at “fostering partner- onshore wind and marine renewables – in the same way as it alliance of OPEC and non-OPEC states to balance the on Iranian tanker Sabiti. It surged 2.2 percent to finish ships” in military and defense. is backing offshore wind, consumers and businesses would be markets, which had crude prices plunge below $30 per at $60.51 per barrel. ”We have been negotiating for a long time,” Putin said. able to fully reap the benefits of the transition to a low carbon barrel in the first quarter of 2016. West Texas Intermediate, the benchmark tracking (Source: thenational.ae) economy.” I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 15, 2019

By Saeed Sobani with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, featuring a request that he dig for dirt on Trump’s TEHRAN – Biden and Trump continue to fight each would-be Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. Even if other politically. In the meantime, Trump is more The endless political that demand did not form one half of a clear quid pro afraid of the Ukraine Gate than ever before! The US quo, in which US military aid and future arms sales to president knows full well that the hard way is ahead Kyiv would be contingent on compliance – though the of next year’s presidential election. The President of grammar of the phone call very much suggests it did – it the United States of America never imagined that his is still an impeachable offence. The soliciting of foreign phone call with the President of Ukraine would be so war in U.S. interference in US elections has been forbidden since troublesome for him!Here’s a look at the latest news the birth of the republic. It was one of the menaces on Ukraine Gate: against which the framers of the constitution were Trump-Ukraine impeachment scandal: timeline of most determined to protect their infant nation. key events The second call was Sunday’s conversation with As Guardian reported, the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdo?an. This Nancy Pelosi, the House of Representatives speaker time it was Trump from whom a “favour” was sought. and the most powerful Democrat in Congress, announced Erdo?an urged Trump to remove a small contingent an impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump on 24 of US troops from along the Turkish-Syrian border, September, setting off a fast-moving chain of events. where they had acted as a kind of tripwire, preventing Here are the key players, and here’s a timeline of the Turkey from attacking its longtime enemy, the Kurds, key moments in the scandal so far: in northeastern Syria. Trump agreed, and within hours Hunter Biden, son of Joe Biden (then vice-president Turkey was unleashing its full might on the Kurds, the of the US under Barack Obama, and instrumental in same Kurds who’d believed they were brothers in arms US-Ukraine policy) joins the board of the scandal- with the Americans in their shared war against Islamic plagued Ukrainian energy company Burisma. State in Syria. Yes, the losses had been lopsided in that 2016 struggle. More than 11,000 Kurds had been killed, while Paul Manafort, chairman of the 2016 Trump US combat deaths in Syria numbered six. But now presidential campaign, resigns less than four months their US brothers had abandoned them to their fate. before the US election, after Ukraine’s anti-corruption Current US political chatter is much more about agency reveals he had been promised millions of dollars Trump’s pressure on Ukraine than it is about his betrayal for undeclared consulting work for Kremlin-backed of the Kurds, and you can see why. The latest twist in Yanukovych. the Ukraine scandal, featuring Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Manafort is later indicted for failing to register as Guiliani, and a couple of characters who ran an outfit a foreign agent and numerous financial offenses, and called Fraud Guarantee, is compelling: Goodfellas jailed. Trump has since pushed an unsubstantiated with Russian subtitles. And yet it is the Syria decision theory that the campaign of his 2016 political opponent, that will cost lives, including in ways that may not be Hillary Clinton, played a role in the Ukraine-Manafort instantly obvious. revelations. The most immediate impact will be on those Kurdish 2019 forces who, under previous US-Turkish agreements, 7 April Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer were only ever lightly armed and who had removed and former New York mayor, voices unsubstantiated what fortifications they had built along the border. With allegations on Fox News that Joe Biden pressed for the no air force, no surface-to-air missiles, no armoured dismissal of Viktor Shokin, a top Ukrainian prosecutor, personnel carriers, they are massively outnumbered in order to block a corruption investigation into Burisma. and outgunned by Turkey. Many of them will die. (The investigation into Burisma was dormant by the What’s more, Erdo?an has made no secret of his plan time the US, along with other western powers, called to move vast numbers of Arab refugees who had fled for Shokin to resign.) describe the first known steps of a push to remove the win the 2016 presidential election by leaking a series of from Syria into Turkey over the border. Ankara will 22 April Volodymyr Zelenskiy, an actor and comedian career diplomat, Marie Yovanovitch. financial documents linking Trump’s then-campaign call it “resettlement”, and it might look reasonable: with no political experience except for playing the According to the indictment, the initial push aimed to chairman, Paul Manafort, to corrupt proceeds. Lutsenko repatriating Syrians to Syria. Except these areas are president in a TV series, is elected Ukraine’s leader. “advance their own personal financial interests and the has since retracted some of his previous statements, Kurdish. The result, says Carne Ross, the former Foreign Trump congratulates him in a phone call. political interests of Ukrainian government officials.” particularly his claims about Biden. Office official whose Independent Diplomat group now 25 April Joe Biden announces his 2020 presidential Trump removed Yovanovitch from her post in Ukraine Nevertheless, despite questions about Lutsenko’s advises the Kurds of northeastern Syria, is inevitable: campaign. in May, but he brought her up two months later on the credibility, Trump posted the reporting to his Twitter “It’s ethnic cleansing.” 1 May The New York Times reports that Giuliani has July 25 call with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that account within hours of it being published. The deserted Tal Arqam base after the withdrawal been urging Ukraine to conduct a new investigation is now the subject of a House impeachment inquiry. Victoria Toensing, an outspoken Trump ally who of US forces, Ras al-Ein, north Syria, 7 October 2019. into the activities of Joe and Hunter Biden. “Giuliani On that call, Trump asked Zelenskiy to help Giuliani has worked with Giuliani and Parnas, also posted Those of us far away can have a more selfish anxiety, called Mr Trump excitedly to brief him on his findings,” and Attorney General Bill Barr investigate still-unfounded the reporting to her Twitter page, writing, “The real too. One of the tasks that had fallen to the Kurds was the paper says. allegations that former Vice President Joe Biden forced collusion began in Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador Marie the imprisoning of former Isis fighters, preventing 18 July Trump issues instructions to withhold $392m Ukraine to fire its head prosecutor in 2016 to “shut Yovanovitch.” them returning to combat. Now the Kurds’ limited in military aid from Ukraine, citing concerns over whether down” an investigation targeting the major Ukrainian Five days later, the conservative columnist who resources will be too stretched: they can’t both defend the money needed to be spent, according to reports. gas company Burisma, which employed Biden’s son. published Lutsenko’s claims sent an email to Parnas and themselves from the Turks and act as jailers for a group 25 July Trump and Zelenskiy speak on the phone. Immediately before mentioning Biden, though, Trump Toensing, forwarding them a preview of his upcoming of Isis fighters, their families and followers that together 12 August A whistleblower complaint is filed. raised Yovanovitch, according to a rough transcript report that would allege further political bias at the number 70,000. This is why, says Ross, “Isis prisoners 13 September Adam Schiff, Democratic congressman of the call released by the White House. U.S. Embassy in Ukraine and offer new alleged details are jubilant – jubilant – at the Turkish invasion,” seeing and chairman of the House intelligence committee, issues “The former ambassador from the United States, the on the purported “do-not-prosecute list” that Lutsenko it as the harbinger of their liberation. a subpoena for the complaint after Joseph Maguire, woman, was bad news and the people she was dealing claimed Yovanovitch gave him. When asked if all these Isis men might now escape the acting director of national intelligence, a Trump with in the Ukraine were bad news so I just want to U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, and pose a threat elsewhere, Trump’s response was appointee, refuses to hand it over. let you know that,” Trump told Zelenskiy, saying the center, sits during her meeting with Ukrainian President telling. “Well, they’re going to be escaping to Europe. Days later, reports emerge that Trump asked Zelenskiy Justice Department would “get to the bottom of it.” Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 6, 2019. That’s where they want to go.” Meaning if, thanks to during the 25 July phone call to investigate Joe Biden Rudy Giuliani, Former Mayor of New York City speaks more + me, Isis terrorists are now free to shoot people in Paris and the candidate’s son, Hunter. Trump admits that he to the Organization of Iranian American Communities The next day, the website Medium published a story or blow up buses in London, that’s not my problem. did, but denies wrongdoing. He denies that withholding during a march outside the United Nations Headquarters by an unknown author named “Tony Sealy,” noting The In other words, you can make a good case that the aid had amounted to a quid pro quo. The aid funds in New York on Sept. 24, 2019.more + Hill newspaper’s previous reporting and disclosing what Erdo?an call will have a more lethal impact than the were released on 11 September. The story of how Yovanovitch ended up in the it claimed was the purported “do-not-prosecute list.” Zelenskiy one, even if it is the latter for which Trump Trump, the whistleblower and the comic: key players president’s crosshairs, however, began in the spring But, according to internal emails described to ABC News, will be held to account. But the two conversations have in the Ukraine scandal of 2018, when an unidentified Ukrainian government officials inside the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine almost much in common. 19 September Giuliani is interviewed on CNN and in official asked Parnas for “assistance in causing the U.S. immediately recognized it as “a totally manufactured, First, they both reveal the readiness of this president a heated exchange at first denies that he asked Ukraine government to remove or recall” Yovanovitch, according fake list” and a “classic disinfo play,” as one senior to act alone and against all advice, ignoring his military to investigate Biden. About 30 seconds later, he reverses to the charging documents unsealed Thursday against official wrote at the time. top brass, national security team and Congress. On himself. “Of course I did,” he says. Parnas and Fruman. “One key sign of it being fake is that most of the Ukraine, his own appointees and Republican allies 24 September The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, Parnas and Fruman were reportedly working to secure names are misspelled in English -- we would never on Capitol Hill were clear that aid to Kyiv was in the announces a formal impeachment inquiry into Trump’s a major deal to ship liquefied gas to Ukraine -- a deal spell most that way,” a top diplomat at the embassy, US strategic interest. No matter. Trump was ready actions. that a U.S. ambassador might be able to influence. George Kent, wrote. And the embassy could find no to withhold $400m in aid if that’s what it took to 25 September White House releases a partial And the duo was working with at least one Ukrainian evidence that “Tony Sealy” even existed. coerce Zelenskiy into helping his re-election campaign. “transcript” of the 25 July call, hours before Trump’s official, according to the charging documents. “This list appears to be an effort by Lutsenko to Similarly, even Trump’s most ardent cheerleaders agreed first face-to-face meeting with Zelenskiy at the United By January, nearly seven months after the Ukrainian inoculate himself for why he did not pursue corrupt that the Kurds were allies whose loyalty should be Nations. “I don’t want to be involved in democratic official sought help from Parnas, Yovanovitch had yet to [former] associates and political allies,” Kent said, rewarded and that a green light to a Turkish invasion elections of the USA,” Zelenskiy said. “Nobody pushed be removed. Around the same time, Giuliani was drafted adding that Lutsenko wanted “to claim that the U.S. would be unforgivable treachery. No matter, he did it me.” into the effort, believing it could help undercut special told him not to.” anyway. In both Ukraine and Syria, Trump was ready 26 September The whistleblower complaint is counsel Robert Mueller’s widening investigation into “Complete poppycock,” Kent added. to jettison long-established US policy to serve his own released. It alleges the White House tried to cover up whether members of Trump’s presidential campaign Nevertheless, two weeks later, Giuliani went on interests – keeping everyone else in the dark until it the Trump-Ukraine call. were coopted by Russian intelligence services. Fox News to claim Mueller’s “phony investigation” was too late. 27 September Kurt Volker, Trump’s former special “I got information [at the time] that a lot of the stemmed from Yovanovitch. In Ukraine, his personal motive is clear enough. In envoy to Ukraine, resigns. explanations for how this whole phony investigation Around the same time, Lutsenko indicated in an Turkey, less so – though it is not irrelevant that there 4 October The House congressional committees started will be in Ukraine,” Giuliani later recalled to interview with a Russian-language news outlet that are two “major, major” Trump Towers in Istanbul, holding impeachment hearings release Whatsapp Fox News. “And it stems around the ambassador and his initial account of Yovanovitch giving him a “do- giving Trump what he himself once called “a little messages from US diplomats, handed over by Volker, the embassy being used for political purposes. So I not-prosecute list” was not accurate. conflict of interest” when it comes to that country. which show a prestigious invitation for Zelenskiy to began getting some people that were coming forward Then, in early May, The New York Times published We have surely seen enough by now to know that when visit the White House was dependent on him stating and telling me about that. And then all of a sudden, a story with the headline: “Biden Faces Conflict of Trump hears a request from an authoritarian leader, publicly that Ukraine would investigate the Bidens and they revealed the story about Burisma and Biden’s son.” Interest Questions That Are Being Promoted by Trump especially one who could have business leverage over a supposed Ukrainian role in the 2016 US election, a One of the people Giuliani spoke with was Viktor and Allies.” him, he likes to say yes. theory advanced in far-right conspiracy circles. Shokin, the former prosecutor fired in 2016 at the Trump retweeted it. And six days later, the Trump The flipside is his casual disregard for America’s 6 October Lawyers for the first whistleblower say behest of Biden and other officials around the world administration announced that Yovanovitch was being allies. Ukraine is loyal, but was threatened with being they are now representing a second. who viewed Shokin as deeply corrupt and ineffective. At recalled as U.S. ambassador. starved of cash unless it agreed to act as Trump’s covert 8 October The state department prevents Gordon the time, Biden even threatened to withhold $1 billion Testifying to House investigators behind closed doors opposition research unit. The Kurds have fought valiantly, Sondland, US ambassador to the EU and a Trump in financial assistance to Ukraine if its government on Friday, Yovanovitch insisted she was dismissed as but Trump brushed them off, saying bizarrely that donor, from testifying to a congressional impeachment didn’t replace Shokin. The International Monetary ambassador based on “unfounded and false claims by “they didn’t help us with Normandy”. He approaches hearing.The White House releases a letter refusing to Fund also threatened to withhold aid if reforms, such people with clearly questionable motives,” according all alliances as mere transactions, tweeting that: “The cooperate with the impeachment inquiry, and accusing as Shokin’s removal, weren’t made. to prepared remarks obtained by the New York Times. Kurds fought with us, but were paid massive amounts Democrats of trying to reverse the result of the 2016 In late January, Giuliani, Parnas, Fruman and others In fact, she reportedly said, a top State Department of money and equipment to do so.” As one observer election. gathered in Giuliani’s New York office to interview official told her that Trump had pushed for her removal put it, for Trump the Kurds weren’t allies – they were Trump claims on Ukraine call may stem Shokin over the phone. Shokin suggested Biden may even though she had “done nothing wrong.” subcontractors. And note the contempt for Europe in from foreign official’s year-old have wanted him fired to protect Biden’s son, and he In announcing the charges against Parnas and both cases. His call with Zelenskiy was full of disdain Also ABC news reported, At least some of the still- told the group that Yovanovitch was “close to Biden,” Fruman on Thursday, the head of the FBI’s field office for the EU; now we know he doesn’t mind Isis terrorists unfounded claims referenced by President Donald Trump according to notes of the conversation reviewed by in New York, Bill Sweeney, said, “The American people murdering and maiming – so long as they only murder on his controversial call with Ukraine’s president in July ABC News. expect and deserve an election process that has not and maim Europeans. echoed a year-old effort by a Ukrainian government Giuliani, Parnas and Fruman also spoke with Shokin’s been corrupted by the influence of foreign interests.” There’s a last connection, too. For who benefits from official to oust the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, according successor, Yuriy Lutsenko, according to the documents Donald Trump is set to face impeachment for a a Ukraine deprived of cash and military equipment? to government documents reviewed by ABC News, public reviewed by ABC News. He offered a similar assessment phone call that came to light last month. The crimes Why, it’s the same person who benefits from a US statements from the president’s personal attorney, Rudy as Shokin, according to the documents.Yet two months he committed in that call were serious, and merit the pullback from Syria: Trump’s old friend, Vladimir Putin. Giuliani, and others, as well as from newly unsealed later, Yovanovitch still remained as ambassador to ultimate sanction that can be imposed on a sitting Trump’s conduct in these two very different situations court documents. Ukraine. president, namely removal from office. And yet even – a deliberate political strategy in Ukraine, an apparent Interested in Impeachment Inquiry? Then, in a March interview with a conservative since that conversation took place, in fact this very whim in Syria – has one common result, namely the Add Impeachment Inquiry as an interest to stay columnist at The Hill newspaper, Lutsenko offered a week, Trump has had another call that included an further destruction of America’s reputation in the eyes up to date on the latest Impeachment Inquiry news, new explosive allegation against Yovanovitch: In their act that may not meet the constitutional standard of of its allies. It shows that Donald Trump is not just video, and analysis from ABC News. first meeting, Lutsenko alleged, the ambassador gave “high crimes and misdemeanours” and for which he will corroding vital democratic norms and conventions in Impeachment InquiryAdd Interest him a “do-not-prosecute list” -- a list of Ukrainians face no such punishment – but whose consequences the US. He is also endangering human lives far away Giuliani’s associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, that the Ukrainian government could not investigate. will surely be even graver. For they will be measured from America’s shores. It is not just the US that needs were indicted Thursday on campaign finance-related Lutsenko also said he had opened an investigation into in life and death. to see him removed from office and soon – it is the charges, and the charging documents filed against them whether Ukrainian officials tried to help Hillary Clinton The first of these two fateful calls was, of course, whole world. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y OCTOBER 15, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7

Repercussions of Riyadh’s Richard Murphy: Bolton fired for Persisting in Iran regime change advice definite defeat in Yemen invasion to Trump By Ali Hassan Heidari wills, it was the willpower of Yemeni popu- lar mobilization that won over the political TEHRAN (FNA) — Renowned American diplomat and former IFP — Saudi Arabia along with its allies, and military mobilization of major Arab and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Murphy says President Donald including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Western powers. Trump sacked his national security advisor John Bolton since Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Sudan, Egypt a decline in Saudi Arabia’s regional power he was preoccupied by regime change plans against Tehran and and Morroco, began an all-out aerial cam- and influence; this defeat showed that Riyadh persistently advised the president to escalate tensions with Iran. paign against Yemen called “Decisive Storm” is no longer able to maintain its strategic role Speaking to FNA, the veteran American diplomat said Bolton in 2015. But it has brought nothing but a in the region and to serve as a country capable “consistently pushed for aggressive answers to Iran’s positions definite failure for the Saudi regime. of preserving the balance among regional and supported regime change in Tehran, ... and Trump grew The Saudi-led attacks have left more than powers because it is no capable of doing so. tired of his advice”. 10,000 people dead and hundreds of thou- The last point is that Yemen’s democratic Richard William Murphy (born July 29, 1929) is an sands homeless. Humanitarian organizations government is edging closer to determining American diplomat. He was the United States ambassador estimate that over 16 million Yemenis, which victory and has passed through the process of to Mauritania from 1971 to 1974, to Syria from 1974 to 78, accounts for 61 percent of the country’s pop- the political stability of its government after to the Philippines from 1978 to 1981, and to Saudi Arabia ulation, are in dire need of humanitarian aid. five years of defending the nation’s inde- from 1981 to 1983. He served as the United States Assistant Background of Saudi Aggression against pendence and democracy in its fight against Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Yemen regional and global hegemony led by the US from 1983 to 1989. Yemen is home to a whole variety of ethnic and the monarchial and hereditary Saudi rule. Below is the full text of FNA’s interview with Richard and religious groups. It has a population of On the other hand, masterminds behind the Murphy. over 23 million people 87% of which is com- war on Yemen have conceded defeat, which What is your assessment of John Bolton’s dismissal? Will prised of Arab tribes falling into two categories: means they have admitted to their strategic the military faction become a minority as a result of his removal Zaydi Shiites and Sunnis. Zaydi Shiites ruled failure against Yemen’s fledgling and young from the post of the National Security Advisor? Yemen for centuries and stayed in power government. A: John Bolton is known for bluntness and persistency in until the 1960s. However, a coup was staged and presence in the region and in an Arab ing eight Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia This means the start of a real step toward making his policy proposals. He has consistently pushed for against their rule with the help of the Saudi country, which would serve as a major threat The Iranian Leader’s historical prediction ending a five-year war against poor and defense- aggressive answers to Iran’s positions and supported regime government, resulting in the formation of a for the future of the region. So, as Saudi Ara- that this coalition will suffer defeat coming true less, but strong people, who achieved their goal change in Tehran. The simplest answer as to why Bolton was Republic government. Consequently, under bia suggested, world powers, especially Arab Saudi Arabia’s failure to achieve its set goals by relying on the resistance front’s model of dismissed is that President Trump disagreed with him and grew the newly formed government, the Houthi states, have a duty to prevent the formation (restoring ousted Yemeni President Abd Rabbu dealing with aggressors. Before facing the new tired of his advice. movement was practically sidelined and lost of the Shiite Crescent. Mansur Hadi to power, breaking the Ansarullah condition, which will destroy their remaining How would Bolton’s dismissal affect the US foreign policy its leverage. Nevertheless, four years on, all Saudi movement apart and capturing Sana’a) political and military credibility in the court of toward Iran? The historical experience on the Saudi and Western potential and actual capacities Revolutionaries gaining power in Yemen the public opinion, they should concede de- A: Last week’s attack on Saudi oil facilities in Abqaiq has government’s political behaviour in the have proven inefficient against the demo- (Given the historical background of the Saudi feat and announce an end to their aggression threatened global oil supplies. Washington has apparently con- region is a testament to the fact that this cratic government of Yemen and have lost aggression against Yemen and A drop in Sau- against Yemen. This will be in their interest. cluded that the Houthis in Yemen were not capable of staging hereditary government has always wanted their effect on the ground and the balance di Arabia’s political legitimacy and military However, it does not mean they will not be that attack and is examining evidence of involvement by Iranian nearby countries to be ruled by governments of power has fully changed in favour of the credibility in the region and the undermining accountable to the public opinion as well as and Iraqi elements. The situation is highly volatile. that lack a democratic nature and lean toward Yemeni government. Yemeni forces have of the Saudi leader’s status in the Arab world international legal organizations and circles. Considering that Secretary Pompeo’s foreign policy mind- the Al Saud dynasty and are submissive to made tremendous progress in the military, and making Riyadh permanently unable to They should be answerable for their aggres- set somehow resembles Bolton’s approach, do you think Trump Riyadh. Hence, when Houthis also known as missile and air combat domains and have make a consensus in the region and creating sion against the democratic government of would go for changing Pompeo as well? Ansarullah took power in Sana’a following been able to strike targets deep within the a new trend in the region in the future. Yemen and tens of thousands of women and A: Of course Trump can dismiss Pompeo but the Secretary the ouster of the Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime Saudi territory. Influencing the equations of power in children and civilians in Yemen. of State has been adept at framing his positions so they do not in 2012, the Saudi government, which has The balance of power has been disrupted Saudi Arabia’s political system as well as The UN is also duty-bound to send envoys directly challenge those of the President. always sought to steer clear of democratic in the battlefield, so much so that the Saudis political and security equations in the re- to Yemen to introduce the Saudi government Given the recent change of Bolton, are the US State Depart- rules, regarded the emergence of a demo- have no more justification, whatsoever, for gion in light of turning the resistance front as the one that initiated the Yemen conflict, ment’s pro-Israeli policies going to fade or shift? cratic government as a major threat to the playing a blame game and levelling accusations into an efficient hub in the management of like what the world body did with regards to A: Trump early on decided to pull the United States out of hereditary Al Saud monarchial rule. against Yemen’s allies in aerial and ground crises and its turning into reliable power in the war imposed in the 1980s on Iran by an the JCPOA and presented other demands for changes in Iranian Therefore, Riyadh mobilized its material combat (especially after attacks by Yemeni forming regional domestic equations with international coalition led by former Iraqi policies. He has expressed his desire for negotiations but has been and spiritual resources in an all-out attempt drones against Saudi Aramco oil facilities and the cooperation of regional countries without strongman Saddam Hussein and introduced rebuffed by Iran which has insisted that lifting of sanctions are a to topple the fledgling government in Yemen the heavy defeat inflicted on Saudi forces in the presence of foreign powers. Saddam Hussein as the initiator of the war. The prerequisite to talks. Trump’s desire to “make a deal” with Iran led by the powerful Ansarullah movement. a recent operation). Proving the inefficiency of US allies in UN should make Riyadh compensate for the is anathema to the Israeli leadership. I assume that the State Accordingly, Riyadh formed an Arab coalition These wide-ranging failures against Ye- implementing the United States’ schemes damage it has inflicted on Yemen and for the Department specialists continue to draw up policy choices for in keeping with the West’s strategy in the meni troops has averted the possibility of and scenarios in the region and trying to blood of innocent Yemeni people. the Secretary to consider. region and engineered a military campaign playing a blame game, and Yemeni people respectably withdraw from the US against Yemen. Then, Saudi Arabia launched will no longer buy into this ploy and the Saudi coalition against Yemen’s democratic its all-out aggression on both hard and soft will have no choice but to accept their inef- government. dimensions against Yemeni infrastructure ficiency in managing he war and tolerate 8.the defeat of the coalition in and people. In order to justify its attacks, its repercussions. This defeat has resulted the clash of strategies in running Saudi Arabia promoted the allegations that in political and military consequences for the region. The US and its regional Ansarullah (Houthi) troops are backed by the Saudis and their allies, which are briefly allies led by the Saudi government Iran and that the stabilization of their po- described below. also suffered a historical defeat in the sition means the spread of Iran’s influence the collapse of the Arab coalition compris- war of strategies and, in the war of Who is behind UN’s worst crisis TEHRAN (FNA)- The United Nations is facing its worst cash crisis in nearly a decade because almost one-third of its member states have not paid their annual dues, according to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guterres says the situation is so desperate that last month’s General Assembly in New York was only possible because of emergency spending cuts made earlier in the year. The UN says while 129 member states have paid their dues for the or- ganization’s 2019 budget 64 others are still required to pay “urgently and in full.” It says there is an outstanding amount of $1.3 billion for the year. As always, it is not that hard to guess which member state is the real reason why the UN runs the risk of depleting its liquidity reserves by the end of the month and defaulting on payments to staff and vendors. The US currently owes the organization more than $1 billion. To be clear, Washington owes the UN $381 million in back payments and $674 mil- lion this year. trend. In June, UN member nations began to respond to the Meaning, the only way to avoid a default that could risk Trump administration’s disengagement and criticisms. The disrupting operations globally is for Washington to pay its US has held a seat on the UN Human Rights Committee since dues. Moreover, Guterres has requested additional steps be 1995. With the four-year term of the current representative set taken immediately, including further reductions in official to expire at the 2018, the Trump administration nominated travel; postponing spending on goods and services; and dis- another one. The committee rejected the US nominee. Five continuing events scheduled outside official meeting hours days later, the US withdrew from the Human Rights Council. at headquarters duty stations. Conferences and meetings In reality, it is the Trump team that has almost me- may have to be postponed or services be adjusted too. He is thodically withdrawn US membership and money from reviewing further options. several UN components and treaties, with severe financial Mind you, this is just one of the ways through which the US costs to those organizations. The US is also withdrawing has managed to weaken the very foundation of the world body. from UNESCO, walking out on more than $500 million The Trump administration has a track record of bashing global in unpaid dues! cooperation and promoting sizeable cuts in US funding for the Trump has barred official US support for the UN Population UN along with the organization’s programs and peacekeeping Fund as well, which would mean a loss of over $30 million in activities. the coming budget year. On a larger scale, the Trump adminis- On July 13, after more than a year of negotiations, UN mem- tration has unilaterally limited American contributions to UN ber governments agreed on a plan to tackle the nightmare of peacekeeping to 25 percent of its total budget. uncontrolled global migration in an organized and humane However, Trump’s domestic politics have a global effect. way. It wasn’t easy to bring everyone on board, but, in the end, His unilateral decision to pull out of the Iranian nuclear accord 192 nations concurred: There had to be concerted action. The has led the other signatories of the agreement to scramble for UN, however, has 193 member countries. While the rest of the ways to keep it alive. He has pulled out of negotiations on the world moved toward formalizing and implementing the plan, Trans-Pacific Partnership, leaving remaining parties to move the US laid claim to a position as a UN outlier. ahead with deals that exclude the US. And Trump is now floating a Trump’s refusal to join in a global attempt to deal with withdrawal from the World Trade Organization and seems intent a global problem was not a great surprise; the adminis- on sabotaging of the North American Free Trade Agreement. tration had not been part of negotiations since late last In light of all these mounting if unpredictable attacks on year. Instead, as the other nations met in a spirit of com- global cooperation and multilateralism, the UN has no choice promise on July 13, the Trump administration was busy but to regroup and fight back. The world body should make it trying to locate the 3,000 children it had snatched from clear that Washington can no longer be seen as an impartial their desperate families in an immigration enforcement mediator of Middle East peace or the warden of world order along the Mexican border. and security. The UN has no other choice but to fight back for The message for the UN should be clear by now: The world its peace-keeping and global cooperation institutions, as the should go ahead as best it can without the United States. And Trump administration has every intention to weaken them there are indications that this is becoming an international institutionally and financially. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS OCTOBER 15, 2019

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NASA conducts spacewalk as MIT engineers show Da Vinci’s 500-year-old radical bridge world’s 1st spacewalker dies design would have worked Astronauts replaced oversized batteries station’s sprawling framework. With that We know that Leonardo da Vinci was a genius who was well outside the International Space Station on successfully behind them, they got a jump ahead of his time, but even the great man himself might have Friday, as news broke of the death of the on next week’s spacewalk. struggled to believe that engineers would still be marveling over world’s first spacewalker. It was the second of five spacewalks his creations some 500 years later. NASA interrupted live TV coverage of planned this month to install six new Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology its second spacewalk this week to announce batteries that arrived via a Japanese supply (MIT) have analyzed a bridge designed by da Vinci in 1502. Leonov’s death at age 85. ship two weeks ago. Morgan and Koch began Drawn up for Sultan Bayezid II, head of the Ottoman Empire, Leonov’s 12-minute spacewalk on March the outdoor work Sunday. Morgan will be the huge bridge was intended to connect Istanbul and its 18, 1965, preceded the first U.S. spacewalk accompanied Wednesday by NASA’s Jessica neighboring city Galata. by Ed White by less than three months. He Meir, the other woman on board. also was the Soviet commander of the Apollo- Morgan has been aboard the space station Soyuz joint space mission in 1975, a prelude since July. Koch is two-thirds of the way into to the international cooperation seen aboard what will be the longest single spaceflight the current space station. by a woman, 300-plus days. On the fourth As U.S. astronauts Andrew Morgan and spacewalk of this series planned for later Christina Koch wrapped up a successful seven- this month, Koch and Meir will perform the hour spacewalk, the rest of the station crew world’s first all-female spacewalk. paid tribute to Leonov. Friday marked the 35th anniversary of “This is a bittersweet day for all of us on the first spacewalk by an American woman, the International Space Station,” said Italian Kathryn Sullivan, on Oct. 11, 1984. The In the end, da Vinci’s design wasn’t used, but the MIT team astronaut Luca Parmitano, who met Leonov Russians beat the Americans there, too. has carefully modelled the polymath’s design, finding it to be in years past. “It is somewhat fitting that power network with new and improved Morgan and Koch had finished installing three Three months earlier, cosmonaut Svetlana structurally sound – no mean feat, considering it would’ve been Leonov left us on the day of a spacewalk.” lithium-ion versions. These new batteries new batteries 260 miles (420 kilometers) up. Savitskaya became the world’s first female the world’s longest bridge at the time, by some distance. “Farewell, Alexei, and Ad Astra.” are so powerful only one is needed for every Given the hefty battery size — about half a spacewalker. “It’s incredibly ambitious,” says structural engineer Karly Five days after their first spacewalk, two of the hydrogen-nickel units, which will refrigerator with a mass of 400 pounds (180 Since Leonov’s feat, there have been 227 Bast, from MIT. “It was about 10 times longer than typical bridges Morgan and Koch swiftly continued swapping be junked. kilograms) — the astronauts had to take turns spacewalkers including 14 women. of that time.” decade-old batteries in the station’s solar By the midway point of Friday’s excursion, holding each unit as they moved along the (Source: AP News) Using surviving documentation, and knowledge about the construction materials and methods of the time, the team found that the 280-metre (919-foot) long bridge would have been able to stand and remain stable. Model offers explanation for universe’s most powerful magnets While the researchers haven’t yet had a peer-reviewed paper By Brooks Hays because we didn’t have the necessary computational tools,” published about their work, they did put together a 1:500 scale said Sebastian Ohlmann from the computing center at the model to put to a rigorous set of tests. With the help of computer simulations, scientists have come Max Planck Society in Garching. The crafted 126 separately created, 3D-printed blocks, then up with an explanation for the formation of the strongest To test the hypothesis, researchers used a sophisticated put them together like a jigsaw: at 1:500 scale, the model ended magnets in the universe, magnetars. stellar simulation called the AREPO code, run on a cluster up at around 81 centimeters or 32 inches long. Models suggest stellar mergers can produce strong magnetic of powerful computers, to analyze Tau Scorpii, a magnetic One of the most impressive parts of the bridge design is that fields. When the magnetic star produced by a merger dies, a star located 500 light-years from Earth. it’s all held together without any fasteners or mortar to connect magnetar can form. Magnetars are neutron stars -- collapsed Scientists had previously determined that Tau Scorpii is the blocks. stellar cores -- with extremely powerful magnetic fields. a blue straggler, which are produced by the merging of two “It’s all held together by compression only,” says Bast. “We The sun features an outer layer of convective activity that stars. The simulations showed that the turbulence produced wanted to really show that the forces are all being transferred produces strong magnetic fields, but most massive stars are with the Center for Astronomy at Heidelberg University in by the merger process can yield powerful magnetic fields. within the structure.” without this feature. Germany, said in a news release. The latest findings, published this week in the journal Rather than following the contemporary trend for bridges with “Even though massive stars have no such envelopes, we Scientists have previously hypothesized that stellar mergers Nature, suggest roughly 10 percent of the stars in the Milky semicircular arches – which would have required numerous piers still observe a strong, large-scale magnetic field at the surface could explain the ten percent that boast large magnetic fields. Way form similarly to Tau Scorpii -- a rate in agreement along the bridge – da Vinci instead went for a single, enormous, of about ten percent of them,” Fabian Schneider, researcher “But until now, we weren’t able to test this hypothesis with the observed population of magnetic massive stars. flattened arch. It had to be high enough to allow sailboats to pass under, while maintaining essential rigidity, especially against lateral motions. To counter these motions, da Vinci envisioned splayed In a quantum first, physicists put Neuroscientists see unique brain changes in abutments on each side of the bridge, which are structures that steady the bridge in the same way that someone might spread 2,000 atoms in two places at once blind people who learn to ‘see’ with sound their feet to avoid swaying. Extra stabilization features were added by da Vinci to guard against the earthquakes that were known to happen in the area, and again the scale model testing showed that these would have worked very well. The materials and construction methods that we’ve developed since da Vinci’s time mean there are now better designs to make use of than this one, but it’s still a phenomenal bit of engineering, that underlines the brilliance of da Vinci’s mind. The scale model was based on a small sketch in one of da Vinci’s notebooks – what we don’t know is just how long he took to develop it. It’s possible that this incredibly smart design was actually the result of just a few minutes of work. “Was this sketch just freehanded, something he did in 50 seconds, or is it something he really sat down and thought deeply about?” says Bast. “It’s difficult to know. He knew how the physical world works.” (Source: sciencealert.com) You might be familiar with the Schrödinger’s being alive or dead, not both. Blind people who use echoes to map their stimulated by sound. It also found that just cat thought experiment, where the It’s the same with photons. As soon as surroundings, akin to how bats or dolphins the processing of those sounds activated eponymous feline in a box can be both the light is measured or observed directly, navigate, have an adapted brain region only the visual cortex; since then, several alive or dead at the same time, often used this superposition disappears and the state that allows them to ‘see’ with sound, a new more studies have implicated the visual Twist-based refrigeration: to illustrate the multi-state paradox of of the photon is locked in. This is one of study suggests. cortex in echolocation. quantum mechanics. the conundrums at the heart of quantum The primary visual cortex is where the Using brain imaging of expert Twisting and coiling Well, now scientists have managed to mechanics. human brain normally interprets signals echolocators in action, the new research ‘twistocaloric’ yarns to keep cool apply that theory to huge molecules made This same double-slit experiment has from the eyes, but that doesn’t mean it can tested whether the ‘visual’ cortex can map up of 2,000 atoms. been done with electrons, atoms, and only process visual data. In some cases, the spatial layout of sounds in the same Quantum superposition has been smaller molecules. And now physicists especially when vision is deprived, this way as visual input. An international team led by researchers at The University of tested countless times on smaller systems, show it applies to massive molecules, too. flexible system might also use the same While laying in a functional magnetic Texas at Dallas and Nankai University in China has discovered with physicists successfully showing that In this take on the double-slit organizing principles to interpret sound. resonance imaging scanner, five blind a new technology for refrigeration that is based on twisting and individual particles can be in two places experiment, the team was able to use these By testing people expert in mouth-click- people, five blind echolocators, and five untwisting fibers. at one time. But this type of experiment heavy molecules, made up of as many as based echolocation, researchers have shown sighted people listened to recordings of In research published in the Oct. 11 issue of the journal Science, hasn’t been carried out at this scale before. 2,000 atoms, to create quantum interference a pattern of brain activity in this group a clicking sound bouncing off an object at they demonstrated twist-based refrigeration using materials What the experiment does is allow patterns, as if they were behaving as waves remarkably similar to that of sighted people different locations in the room, and guessed as diverse as natural rubber, ordinary fishing line and nickel scientists to refine the hypotheses of and being in more than one place. when they’re looking at light. where it was coming from. titanium wire. quantum mechanics and understand more The molecules were known as “oligo- It’s the first evidence that activity in the The findings show that stimulus maps “Our group has demonstrated what we call ‘twistocaloric about how this particularly mind-bending tetraphenylporphyrins enriched with primary visual cortex can be flexibly ordered for sound in blind echolocators are directly cooling’ by changing the twist in fibers. We call coolers that branch of physics actually works – and fluoroalkylsulfanyl chains”, and some by how a sense is used, not necessarily comparable to those for vision in sighted use twist changes for refrigeration ‘twist fridges,’” said Dr. Ray how the laws of quantum mechanics join were more than 25,000 times the mass the kind of sense being interpreted. And people. And the more skilled the echolocator, Baughman, director of the Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute up with the more traditional, larger scale, of a hydrogen atom. it clearly suggests that when this primary the more similar this map becomes. at UT Dallas. Baughman is a corresponding author of the study, classical laws of physics. But as molecules get bigger, they region is being under-stimulated, its system What’s more, these same maps don’t along with Dr. Zunfeng Liu, a professor in the State Key Lab of “Our results show excellent agreement also get less stable, and the scientists can be adopted by sound to map spatial appear in people who are blind but Medicinal Chemical Biology in the College of Pharmacy at Nankai with quantum theory and cannot be were only able to get them interfering locations. don’t use echolocation; this suggests University in Tianjin. explained classically,” state the researchers for seven milliseconds at a time, using a “Although it is inarguable that primary the brain activity is not simply a result According to the International Institute of Refrigeration, in their published paper. newly designed piece of equipment called sensory areas preferentially process input of higher cortical regions producing refrigeration and air conditioning consume about 20% of global In particular, the new study involves a matter-wave interferometer (designed from one modality over others, “the authors mental imagery. electrical energy. Conventional refrigerators also release gases the Schrödinger equation (yes, him again), to measure atoms along different paths). write, “they nonetheless retain the ability to “If one were to argue that the results that significantly contribute to global warming. which describes how even single particles Even factors like the Earth’s rotation and carry out at least some of the characteristic could be explained by a combination of As consumption continues to grow, especially due to the can also act as waves in multiple places at gravitational pull had to be factored in. It tasks when relevant information is provided neuroplastic changes due to blindness and increasing needs of developing nations, researchers are investigating once, interfering with each other just like was worth the effort though – we now know through another sensory modality. imagery, then we would expect at least alternative cooling technologies to increase refrigeration efficiency, ripples on a pond. these giant molecules can be in two places “This is pivotal in our interpretation of source sounds to map in our blind control lower costs and reduce size. To test this, the scientists set up a double- at once, as well as much smaller atoms. the functional organization of the human participants,” the authors write, “but there Stretching a rubber band heats the rubber, and releasing the stretch slit experiment - an experiment that’s very As quantum mechanics traditionally brain.” was no evidence for this.” cools it: This is called elastocaloric cooling. Other solid substances familiar to quantum physicists. comes into play on very small scales, This crossing of sensory inputs is The sample size is admittedly small, with for cooling include electrocaloric and magnetocaloric materials, Traditionally, it involves projecting and classical physics on larger scales, the not unheard of; our senses are sharing only five expert echolocators, but we have which cool via changes in electric and magnetic fields, respectively. individual particles of lights (photons) bigger the molecules we can get working information all the time. In recent years, to keep in mind the skill is rather niche. The “This elastocaloric behavior of natural rubber has been known through two slits. If the photons acted simply with the double slit experiment, the closer scientists have started to figure out that first study conducted in 2011, for instance, since the early 1800s. But to get high cooling from a rubber band, as particles, the resulting projection of light we get to that quantum-classical boundary higher cortical areas, like the prefrontal had only two expert echolocators. you have to release a very large stretch,” Baughman said. “With on the other side would simply show one line. A previous record for this kind of cortex, are best understood in terms of The authors think it’s entirely possible twistocaloric cooling, we found that all you have to do is release twist.” band. But in reality, the light projected on study involved molecules up to 800 the tasks they perform, not so much the that the primary ‘visual’ cortex in expert Baughman’s research teams previously developed artificial muscles the other side shows an interference pattern atoms in size. specific senses they process. echolocators is functionally necessary for made by tightly twisting and coiling fibers that range from carbon - multiple bands that interact, showing “Our experiments show that quantum So far, however, most evidence for this the perception of space through sound. nanotube yarns to ordinary nylon thread and polyethylene fishing line. that light particles can also act as waves. mechanics, with all its weirdness, is also task-based structure has been confined “An analogous neural map of space does In the current work, the scientists stretched rubber It effectively seem as if the photons amazingly robust, and I’m optimistic to these higher-order sensory areas, not not exist in primary auditory cortex, and so fibers, then twisted them until they not only coiled, but are in two places at once, just like that future experiments will test it on an to the places where the sensory input is the map of space in primary ‘visual’ cortex also supercoiled. Fast release of the twist resulted in surface Schrödinger’s cat. But as most of us even more massive scale,” says physicist processed. might be the most suitable cortical site on temperature cooling of 15.5 degrees Celsius. Releasing both are aware, the cat is only in two states Yaakov Fein, from the University of The first neuroimaging study of human which to map spatial location as conveyed the twist and the stretch from the rubber produced even while it remains unobserved. As soon as Vienna in Austria. echolocation, in 2011, shows the auditory through sound,” they explain. higher cooling of 16.4 degrees Celsius. the box is open, it’s either confirmed as (Source: sciencealert.com) and primary visual cortex are engaged when (Source: sciencealert.com) (Source: Science Daily) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM OCTOBER 15, 2019

IKIA transports 49,000 Iran’s travel balance Arbaeen pilgrims in 4 days

TOURISM TEHRAN — Imam Khomeini International deskAirport has transported some 49,000 passengers remains positive in H1 from Tehran to Iraqi cities of Najaf and Baghdad to participate in the Arbaeen pilgrimage in a span of four days. TOURISM TEHRAN — Iran’s travel “Since the beginning of Arbaeen flights [scheduled] on Octo- deskbalance remained posi- ber 9, 288 flights have been carried out and 48,934 passengers tive in the first half of the current Iranian were transported from the airport to Najaf and Baghdad,” IKAC calendar year (started March 21), deputy news service quoted deputy director of the Airport Operations tourism minister said on Monday. Department at Imam Khomeini Airport City (IKAC) on Monday. “Foreign arrivals in Iran grew by 26 per- cent during the first half of the current year in comparison with the same period last year,” Vali Teymouri said, CHTN reported. The country’s travel balance kept be- ing positive taking inbound and outbound passengers [in the six-month period] into account, the official noted. “Getting over the last year’s economic shock and experiencing relative economic improvement let 4,258,944 people travel abroad in the first six months of this year, which represents 15.95 percent increase [year on year].” The official reminded that the number of Iranians travelling abroad stood at 3,673,092 Hassan Khoshkhoo noted that Arbaeen flights from IKIA to in the same period last year. Najaf and Baghdad began last week on October 9, managing to He put the number of international ar- transfer 48,934 pilgrims and around 342,915 tons of cargo, adding rivals at 4,998,215 for the first half of the 288 flights took off through Terminal 1 and Salam International current [Iranian calendar] year, adding the Terminal in the mentioned period. number corresponding for the same period Last year, over 15 million Arbaeen pilgrims left Iran for Na- last year stood at 3,956,071. jaf and Baghdad to visit and pay tribute to the shrine of Imam The official forecast that the rise would Hussein (AS), the source said. continue in the second half of the year. “Imam Khomeini International Airport registered 47,446 take- “Neighboring countries are a major offs and landings in the last fiscal year that ended on March 20, source of tourism for Iran,” he said, add- A view of the historical Allahverdi Khan Bridge in Isfahan, central Iran. Popularly known as Si-o-se pol, the monument is a 2019, register a 19% decline year on year. More than 7.27 million ing, “Travelers from neighboring countries stone double-deck arch bridge with approximately 300 meters in length. passengers and 141,704 tons of cargos were transported from always hold the biggest share of arrivals in the airport during the period to rank third on the list of Iran’s each country, and Iran is no exception.” that a significant number of whom were 600,000 medical travelers during the first four orthopedic surgeries amongst other treat- busiest airports in 2018.” “Target countries have been identified medical tourists. months of the current Iranian calendar year ments, Mohammad Panahi, a deputy for Arbaeen marks an end to the 40-day mourning period following based on [Iran’s] capacities in the fields of “During the first three months of this year, (March 21-July 21), nearly equal to the figure the association, said in July. martyrdom of the Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions at health tourism, religious tourism, natural the number of tourists arriving in the country for the whole past year, according to the Irani- Medical tourism fetched Iran some $1.2 the Battle of Karbala on Muharram 10 in the year 61 AH (680 CE). and historical attractions…. and planning increased by 40 percent, again [significant] an association for promoting health tourism. billion last year, Panahi said, adding that For the Arbaeen pilgrimage, which is a characteristic spiritual to attract more tourists is underway,” Tey- part of whom was health tourism,” he said. People from the Persian Gulf littoral the figure has increased by 20-30 percent exercise, hundreds of thousands of people from various nationalities mouri explained. “Medical tourism is one of the most im- states, Iraq and Syria as well as Iranian in the first four months of this year. head for Karbala, where the grandson of Prophet Muhammad Tourism minister Ali-Asghar Moune- portant fields of Iran’s travel sector and an expatriates residing in Canada and Ger- The Islamic Republic has set its goals to (PBUH), is laid to rest. san said in August that [Nearly] 7.8 million [average] spending of $2,400 per tourist many constituted the majority of medical exceed its yearly medical travelers to around foreign nationals visited Iran over the past indicates its importance.” travelers to the Islamic Republic, who re- 2 million in [calendar year] 1404 (March [Iranian calendar] year [ended March 20] The country hosted a record high of nearly ceived plastic, cosmetic, open-heart and 2025-March 2026). Disney World’s Skyliner system up and running for Khorramabad festival to feature tribal lifestyle, rituals, crafts and arts tests, reports say TOURISM TEHRAN — A major festival, in- desktended to turn the spotlight on the lifestyle, rituals, crafts and arts of various tribes and Walt Disney World’s Skyliner system is back up and running nomadic people across Iran, is scheduled to be held in without passengers as the park begins retesting the new Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan province, from aerial cable car system before reopening to guests, according October 30 to November 2. to local reports. Exhibitors from all over the country have been in- While Disney World’s official website still lists the Disney vited to take part in the event, which will also reflect Skyliner as “temporarily closed,” local ABC and Fox affiliates tourist attractions, natural sceneries and historical report that the air gondolas have been running since Tuesday sites of the western province. morning without passengers, as Disney reviews the malfunction Over 60 stalls and 20 Siah-Chadors (“vast tradi- that stranded passengers for hours on Oct. 5 when one of the tional black tents”) are set to be set up for the exhibit, cable cars became stuck in the air. provincial tourism chief Seyyed Amin Qasemi said on Video shared Sunday by Walt Disney World News Today Saturday, Mehr reported. shows gondolas moving through a boarding area as a part of Local cousin contests, live music performances, and the testing process. demonstrations of culinary art are amongst other pro- “One of three Disney Skyliner routes experienced an unex- grams for the event that will be held in a park nearing pected downtime Saturday evening,” Disney said in a statement the historical Falak-ol-Aflak fortress, Qasemi added. to USA TODAY at the time. “As a result, Skyliner will be closed A destination for domestic and foreign travelers, while we look into the details.” the fortress dates from the Sassanid era (224–651). (Source: MSN) It seems particularly imposing and dramatic when floodlit at night offering picturesque views of its en- circling crenellated battlements. ROUND THE GLOBE Bisheh Waterfall, Snow Tunnel, Poldokhtar ponds, Soltani Mosque of Borujerd, Shapouri Bridge, and Agricultural landscape of Shirez Canyon are amongst other tourist sites of the People tour Falak-ol-Aflak fortress, which dominates Khorramabad, the capital of Iran’s Lorestan province. southern Oland mountainous province.

The southern part of Oland, an island in the Baltic Sea off the south-eastern coast of Sweden, is dominated by How facial recognition is taking over airports a vast limestone plateau. debated the pros and cons of a technology that’s becoming camera will take a snapshot of their face, and then sync up omnipresent in airports across the world. the picture it takes of them as they board, with the earlier “We are increasingly moving towards this type of automation shot from when they arrived at the airport. -- personal data and biometric data being available to companies “If the two match within the right sort of realms of and to corporations,” says Fegan. accuracy, we say great -- that does correlate and it correlates “I had a lot of questions, I think everybody should have with the boarding pass, and so the customer can pass a lot of questions.” through.” Biometric technology describes tech that uses your If there’s a “hiccup” with the system, as Cooper puts it, physiological characteristics -- think, the iPhone thumbprint BA staff will go through the secondary process -- checking that lets you use Apple Pay or unlock your phone without documents, calling over an agent if necessary. a password. This system’s been in operation for domestic travelers in the Other examples include iris recognition, fingerprints UK for more than a decade. More recently, BA introduced self and facial recognition. boarding gates and investigating the use of facial recognition Facial recognition is said to speed up the airport experience These all seem to have become ubiquitous in recent years, for international travelers. but the technology’s not new. It’s not even new to airports. The British carrier partnered up with U.S. Customs Instead of scanning her boarding pass, the airport gate Raoul Cooper, British Airways’ senior digital design and Border Protection (CBP) to trial facial recognition for scanned her face. manager, tells CNN Travel that BA -- alongside other airlines international flights between Orlando and London. People have lived there for some five thousand years, In April 2019, traveler MacKenzie Fegan was left surprised flying domestically to and from London’s Heathrow Airport Cooper stresses the speed advantages. adapting their way of life to the physical constraints of the and confused when she boarded a JetBlue flight from the -- has been using facial recognition on domestic travelers “One of our best times was boarding 240 customers in island. As a consequence, the landscape is unique, and there United States to Mexico, without handing over her passport, for about eight or nine years. about 10 minutes, without causing massive queues on the is abundant evidence of a continuous human settlement from or travel documents. At Terminal 5 and Terminal 2, international travelers and aircraft,” he says. prehistoric times to the present. “There were plastic barricades across the front of each domestic travelers mix in the common departure lounge. On the other side of the Atlantic the U.S. government This outstanding human settlement has made optimum lane, I look to my right, and the gate opens,” she tells CNN “We do have to, as a result of that, separate our customers has been using facial recognition for the past 20 years or so, use of diverse landscape types on a single island. Limestone Travel. “I was like, ‘What, just happened?’ There was no in some way -- so that you don’t have international travelers although it’s only ramped up biometric boarding recently. bedrock and a warm, dry climate have set limits for how the boarding pass scan, nothing like that.” getting on to a domestic flight, especially if they’re in transit Biometric entry-exit has been recommended -- but not islanders can use their landscape. Before she’d even sat down on her airplane seat, Fegan, -- they could, in effect, jump the border,” explains Cooper. widely enforced -- since the Illegal Immigration Reform Earlier, the land was divided into infields and pastures. a New York-based journalist, fired off a Tweet to JetBlue, “So we have to put the right use of technology in and and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. The infields lay closest to the village and consisted of arable asking the airline to explain the process. around there to stop that from happening.” The 9/11 Commission Report -- an official report into lands and meadows. The pastures – the alvar plains and the “Did facial recognition replace boarding passes, Cooper lays out how facial technology works for BA the 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington -- coastal lands – were used for grazing. unbeknownst to me? Did I consent to this?” She wrote, customers at Heathrow. When a customer arrives at the concluded that a biometric entry-exit screening system With the transformation of agriculture in the 19th century, clicking send. airport and goes through the first security checkpoint, their for foreign nationals was integral to U.S. national security. this distinction disappeared on the mainland and elsewhere About 10 minutes later, Fegan received a reply: facial image is “grabbed.” Since the mid-noughties, any non-U.S. citizen who travels in Europe. Instead of being part of the agricultural system, “You’re able to opt out of this procedure, MacKenzie. “We grab your face, and we associate it to your boarding to the United States gets their picture taken and fingerprints pastures were used for timber production. In Oland, barren Sorry if this made you feel uncomfortable,” read the response. pass,” he explains. scanned on arrival. soil ruled this out, and the old division, with linear villages in Implicit in the Tweet was the answer that, yes, on “[The camera] is looking at the face and taking a number In 2017 President Donald Trump signed an executive ‘lawful location’, was retained and is easily discernible today. some JetBlue flights, facial recognition and biometric of measurements and building out what we call a biometric order to accelerate the full roll out of airport biometrics for Southern Oland is a living agrarian landscape where technology is used -- seemingly to speed up boarding, template. And that is kind of like the algorithmic side or the all domestic and international travelers, something also villages, arable lands, coastal lands and alvar plains make and sift out security threats. mathematical representation of your face, and that allows supported by Barack Obama’s administration. up this World Heritage property. Fegan’s initial Tweet received over 8,500 likes, sparking us to run algorithms on it.” Now facial recognition’s going nationwide. (Source: UNESCO) a thread where passengers voiced privacy concerns and When passengers board their domestic flight, another (Source: CNN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y OCTOBER 15, 2019 INTERNATIONAL 11 Netizens wondering why Ecuador protests not Mainstream media suddenly care receiving coverage dedicated to Hong Kong protests about Syrian civilian casualties By Brett Wilkins By Ali Radmanesh by security forces but she then cuts off an COMMONDREAMS — Turn on any US cable news network interview with a citizen when he comments or click on any mainstream media news story about the Turkish TEHRAN — The western mainstream media about his reasons to be protesting against offensive in Syria and you”ll see lots of worrying about civilian is accused of dedicating little coverage to the Government. casualties. On the first day of the Turkish campaign, all the major surprisingly massive protests against a Teleamazonas, one of the most followed networks covered the mass exodus of Kurds facing imminent package of austerity measures prepared by media in the Ecuador, was the channel chosen bombing and invasion, with most also airing the first reports of the government of Ecuador, raising questions by the President to offer an interview last Kurdish civilian casualties. Everywhere we see expressions of in social media that how the coverage would Tuesday. The same day in their social media concern for the innocent Kurds caught in the path of Turkey”s be if the protests had taken place in Hong they gave extensive coverage to a “vandalized” onslaught. Kong or Venezuela. bicycle rack. According to them, that was There was no such concern in 2014 when the United States Massive protests organized by a number one of the outstanding moments amidst began its five-year bombing campaign against Islamic State of social organizations have nearly paralyzed the conflict that is keeping the whole region (IS) in Syria and Iraq. Mainstream media outlets that regularly Ecuador. in turmoil. reported war crimes and mass slaughter when they were com- The demonstrations emerged on Separately, digital media outlets like mitted by IS fighters, Syrian government forces or Russian air October 2, a day after President Lenin El Comercio, Ecuavisa, and El Universo strikes were suddenly silent as US and coalition bombing and, Moreno announced a host of economic highlighted the “millionaire losses” caused later, ground attacks killed thousands of Syrian and Iraqi men, and social austerity measures suggested by the protests and their respective strikes women and children, to the point where for several months in by the International Monetary Fund as a in strategic areas of the country, such as 2017 US-led forces were killing more Syrian civilians than IS, condition for loans. industry and tourism. Russian bombing or even Syrian President Bashar al-Assad”s On the same day, the police and the Double standard forces. Even reliable alternative media outlets like Democracy armed forces started to violently repress However, some social media users Now only occasionally reported civilian casualties, even though the protesters. On October 3, the government are questioning the mainstream media’s they were happening almost every day. decreed a state of emergency for 60 days. treatment of the protests. While it is impossible to say exactly how many civilians have The measures include removing subsidies, Comparing the casualties of the protests been killed by US-led bombing over the past five years, SOHR raising gas and food prices, and restructuring in Ecuador with the casualties in Hong Kong, has counted 4,036 Syrian civilians killed by coalition forces since work laws. many users asked why the mainstream media the bombing began. The National Assembly has ratified a law For about two seeks, Ecuadorians were protesting the implementation of IMF-advised is not dedicating more coverage to the that makes it possible to confiscate private austerity measures. Ecuador protests than Hong Kong protests. assets from those involved in corruption. Some others said they cannot remember People are protesting a massive increase imprisoned many indigenous leaders, but also furious why the media is ignoring demands the last time they mentioned the Gilets in general prices, and the government’s intensified a surveillance state apparatus on by the Ecuadorian protesters. Jaunces in France, but there is nothing, agreement with the IMF, which would them, violently repressing demonstrations Media defending government except the shoe-sizes, of the protesters in affect oil, mining and timber corporations, and waiving many of their constitutional There have been documented cases of Hong Kong that they don’t know. among others. rights in favor of mining projects. human rights violations, including several “Uprisings in Haiti, Ecuador and Ecuadorian government worried Early Monday, Moreno and leaders of deaths, hundreds of people detained, dozens Honduras: silence on mainstream media. Such strikes ousted three governments the country’s indigenous people struck of grave injuries, public beatings, run-overs Color revolutions in Hong Kong and in the country in the early 2000s, so the anto cancel a disputed austerity package and many alleged cases of torture. Venezuela: 24/7 coverage on mainstream incumbent government is greatly worried and end nearly two weeks of protests that But major media has focused on rioting media. Genuine/spontaneous revolutions are about its survival. have paralyzed the economy and left seven or damages caused by the protesters, and the ones that are not promoted by Western President Moreno and other high people dead. they are yet to see the police repression or elites, this is the reality,” tweeted Enrico ranking government officials have alleged a Under the deal, Moreno will withdraw the the demands being raised by the population. Ivanov. A Syrian man carried a child who was retrieved from a col- destabilization plot by Correa as a justification International Monetary Fund package that Videos of journalists in pro-government On the other hand, some alternative and lapsed building following a reported U.S. coalition air strike for declaring a state of emergency, and sent triggered a sharp rise in the price of gasoline news channels such as Ecuador TV advocating community media have been focusing on on the rebel-held neighborhood of Sakhur in the northern city the military and riot squads to repress the and diesel fuel by removing subsidies. for the government is being circulated on the performance of police officers and their of Aleppo in July 2016. Indigenous leaders, in turn, will call on social media. protesters. excessive use of force. Human rights monitors including Syrian Observatory for Human their followers to end days of protests and According to the Venezuela-based news Even the Venezuelan opposition leader For instance, the Confederation of Rights (SOHR) and Airwars have been publishing daily reports of street blockades. website Orinoco Tribune, a video shows a Juan Guaido tweeted about his support for Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador has civilian casualties caused by all belligerents in Syria and Iraq for However, social media users are still reporter who is defending the role played President Moreno, claiming that there is a been posting in their social media some videos years. These groups compile casualty lists from local media and Maduro–Correa plot. of large mobilizations, together with the monitor groups and are highly credible sources. Their reports But many protesters say the claims that Uprisings in Haiti, Ecuador and Honduras: repressive response of the police. are, however, almost completely ignored by the US corporate former president is supporting the protests Days ago, the Inter-American Commission media. With the exception of a relative handful of high-casualty are manipulation efforts. silence on mainstream media. Color on Human Rights (IACHR) expressed its incidents—like the time in March 17 when more than 200 people They say the claims are made despite a revolutions in Hong Kong and Venezuela: concern on the “excessive use of force by were killed when US warplanes bombed an apartment building decade of Correa’s forceful opposition to 24/7 coverage on mainstream media. the police,” though it was not quite echoed in Mosul, Iraq—American media focus almost exclusively on US the indigenous movement. Correa not only in the local media. military casualties, with civilian deaths usually little more than an afterthought when they are mentioned at all. While it is impossible to say exactly how many civilians have been killed by US-led bombing over the past five years, SOHR has The New York Times pumps another ‘evil Russia’ plot counted 4,036 Syrian civilians killed by coalition forces since the bombing began. That”s about 3.5 percent of all civilian deaths in By Finian Cunningham activity. If it serves any purpose, it is perhaps Syria”s eight-year civil war. Airwars estimates at least 8,214 and as a choice illustration of how disinformation many as 13,125 Iraqi and Syrian civilians have been killed in more RT — The “newspaper of record” New York is sneakily, insidiously presented as ‘news’. than 34,000 coalition attacks over the past five years. Earlier this Times arguably holds the record for peddling The fact that this should appear in a Pulitzer year, the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights (IHCR) said anti-Russia scare stories. This week the NY Prize-winning, supposedly premier, American around 11,800 civilians, including some 2,300 children, had died Times delivered yet another classic spook newspaper is the disturbing part. in US-led strikes since 2014. Entire cities like Raqqa in Syria and tale dressed as serious news. But it is no surprise to those who have Mosul, Iraq were destroyed in the US-led offensive to liberate them Among its splash articles, under the long studied how the US corporate media has from IS, with almost no reporting on US corporate TV news and headline ‘Top Secret Russian Unit Seeks been under the control of state intelligence only somewhat better online reporting. to Destabilize Europe, Security Officials agencies for many decades, especially after Why are US mainstream media outlets so loth to report civilians Say’, readers were told of an elite Russian the Second World War and during the sub- killed or wounded by US bombs and bullets? First, they”re Amer- spy team which has, allegedly, only recently sequent Cold War against the Soviet Union. ican, and one of the many truths that Americans hold self-evident been discovered. In a seminal essay in 1977 for Rolling is that “we”re the good guys.” This mythology is upheld by the US It’s called “Unit 29155” and purported- Stone magazine, award-winning journalist military, which in addition to undercounting civilian casualties—the ly directed by the Kremlin to “destabilize Carl Bernstein documented how the CIA sys- Pentagon claims coalition forces have only killed about 1/10th as Europe” with “subversion, sabotage and tematically cultivated hundreds of reporters, many civilians as Airwars” high-end estimate—always asserts that assassination.” columnists, editors, publishing executives and US troops take great pains to avoid harming innocents. US officials According to the NY Times, this crack broadcast networks to function as conduits also often deny credible casualty reports until presented with over- squad of Russia’s most ruthless military intel- for disinformation – much of it directed at whelming evidence. Casualty counting in active war zones is also ligence agents were involved in an attempted demonizing the Soviet Union. a perilous undertaking, with many reported casualties difficult or assassination of an arms dealer in Bulgaria in For students of Propaganda 101, this “From the outset, the use of journalists sometimes impossible to verify. 2015; the destabilization of Moldova; a failed week’s tale makes a case study of how was among the CIA’s most sensitive under- The vast bulk of US mainstream media outlets are corporate-owned, coup against the Montenegrin government; takings,” writes Bernstein. with much of the American ownership class having vested interests and the alleged poisoning of former double disinformation is disseminated in the guise of He added: “By far the most valuable of in waging war. agent Sergei Skripal in England last year. “news reporting.” these associations, according to CIA officials, Self-censorship is also at play here. Journalists who ask too many The article states: “Western security offi- have been with the New York Times, CBS tough questions tend to lose access to the people making the most cials have now concluded that these opera- with President Donald Trump. is Peter Zwack, who is described as a former and Time Inc.” important decisions. During times of conflict, there is also a tenden- tions, and potentially many others, are part For students of Propaganda 101, this US military intelligence officer who worked How the CIA goes about planting false cy to rally around the flag that can be taken to such extremes that of a coordinated and ongoing campaign to week’s tale makes a case study of how dis- at the American Embassy in Moscow. Zwack stories in the American and European media some of the nation”s most vaunted publications shamefully act as destabilize Europe, executed by an elite unit information is disseminated in the guise of is quoted as describing Russians as “organi- is outlined in this candid interview by John mouthpieces for government talking points and even cheerleaders inside the Russian intelligence system skilled “news reporting.” cally ruthless” (whatever that means), while Stockwell, who was former National Security for war for the war du jour. This is by no means the exclusive prov- in subversion, sabotage and assassination.” First of all, the NY Times reporter, Michael the paper actually admits that “he was not Council coordinator for the agency during the ince of conservative media—witness Brian Williams, the disgraced The NY Times adds: “The purpose of Schwirtz, gives a meandering account of lurid aware of the unit’s existence.” 1970s. Stockwell also added: “Enemies are NBC Nightly News anchor turned MSNBC host who gushed how Unit 29155, which has not been previously dirty deeds performed in various interna- The purpose of throwing a few names necessary for the wheels of the US military he was “guided by the beauty of our weapons” as Trump launched reported, underscores the degree to which tional locations allegedly carried out by the into the reporting mix is to lend a veneer machine to turn.” cruise missiles at Syria. Williams was misinterpreting lyrics by the the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, is supposed “elite” Kremlin hybrid warriors. of credibility to the nebulous, unverifiable, You may wonder, if the Cold War ended late, great Leonard Cohen, who surely rolled over in his pine box actively fighting the West with his brand of But tellingly, there are no details evidencing scary stuff that the anonymous spooks feed nearly 30 years ago when the Soviet Union coffin upon hearing Williams” words. Speaking of that cruise missile so-called hybrid warfare — a blend of prop- Russian involvement. It’s all lurid speculation the reporter. dissolved, why then do the NY Times and attack, so-called liberal media outlets across the nation approvingly aganda, hacking attacks and disinformation spiced with fear-mongering, which reads like A special mention must be given to a third other Western media outlets continue to asserted how, at long last, Trump was finally acting “presidential” — as well as open military confrontation.” a pallid John le Carré spy novel. named source quoted by the NY Times. He is pump out anti-Russian propaganda? But by escalating an already dangerous conflict. This is all because, the readers are told, Then, the usual giveaway that the NY Eerik-Niiles Kross, an Estonian lawmaker and that assumes the Cold War was primarily Finally, there”s the elephant in the room: the vast bulk of US “The Kremlin sees Russia as being at war Times is engaging in disinformation, it quotes former military intelligence chief in Tallinn. about the US opposing the ideology of com- mainstream media outlets are corporate-owned, with much of the with a Western liberal order that it views anonymous security officials for apparent He styles himself as “Estonia’s James Bond,” munism. It wasn’t. It was, and still is, all American ownership class having vested interests in waging war. as an existential threat.” verification of its claims about “Unit 29155”. and is known for his salacious Russophobic about imposing control over the masses so And so while reporting on individual wartime triumphs and trage- In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmit- This is tacit admission of who the real authors warnings of “imminent invasion of the Baltic they don’t ever challenge the power structure dies is permitted, asking why the US has been at war for this entire ry Peskov dismissed it as more of the “pulp are: Western spooks. states” – over the past three decades. Kross that deprives them of full democratic rights century, or pointing out that the United States military has killed fiction category” which Western news media Next, a neat effort to give the lame story is quoted to speculate on the existence of and decent livelihoods. more foreign civilians than any other armed force on the planet have manufactured with seeming increasing some legs is to quote named public figures. the alleged Kremlin hybrid warfare unit. Of In a recent interview, philosopher André since dropping two nuclear bombs on Japan in 1945, seems strict- intensity over recent years. Peskov pointed But these sources don’t confirm the existence course, he dutifully serves up his notorious Vitchek makes the point that Western pol- ly verboten. There are exceptions. But on the whole, it”s as Keith out that Moscow has repeatedly stated its of the alleged Kremlin unit; they are merely anti-Russian fear-mongering. But he is not iticians and media like the NY Times keep Olbermann once said, “you can rock the boat, but you can never desire to normalize relations with Western invited to speculate on its existence and pre- confirming. His speculation is pseudo-valida- harping on Cold War scare stories about evil say that the entire ocean is in trouble. You cannot say… there”s states and the European Union in particular, sumed malign purpose. One of those named tion of information that is essentially fictional. foreigners in order “to distract their citizens something wrong with our system.” contradicting the theme of the NY Times’ piece. sources is MI6 chief Alex Younger. Yes, that’s All in all, the latest installment of an- from thinking about their increasingly lim- As the Turkey escalates its attack on America”s (yet again) aban- Indeed, the Russian Embassy in Britain right, the paper of record is quoting British ti-Russia propaganda from the NY Times this ited freedoms and diminishing standards doned Kurdish allies, you can expect to see heart-rending images recently published a compilation of false arti- military intelligence as a reliable source for week is a damp squib among many previous of living.” and reports about the innocent men, women and children killed and cles peddled by Western media over the past public information. Another named source baseless reports of alleged Kremlin malign The Cold War continues, and anti-Rus- maimed in the campaign. The same goes for the next time Syrian or four years. The NY Times features prominently sia hysteria is but a distraction, as was the Russian forces go on the offensive. However, if coverage of civilian as one of the main purveyors of scare stories “From the outset, the use of journalists anti-Soviet hysteria. The aim is to distract casualties caused by US action is what you”re after, you”ll have to about alleged malign Russian activities, from was among the CIA’s most sensitive the public from the real Cold War which is look to foreign or alternative media sources. After all, as US General hacking into presidential elections, to targeting a war by the elites against democracy ever Tommy Franks flippantly declared before the invasion of Iraq, “we American power grids, to covert collusion undertakings,” writes Bernstein. being actually realized among the masses. don”t do body counts.” I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY OCTOBER 15, 2019

Iranian students win medals WHO lauds Iran’s commitment in ITE 2019 SOCIETY TEHRAN — Iranian students won 6 medals to public health coverage deskin International Invention and Trade Expo (ITE) 2019 which was held in London on August 29-30, Mehr SOCIETY TEHRAN — World Assembly, he said. news agency reported on Monday. deskHealth Organization Namaki, for his part, said “we also Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghe- hope that the event would help boost breyesus, has said Iran’s commitment to international cooperation and infrastruc- ensure highest health standards for all ture development of health sector among segments of population is commendable, member states.” ISNA reported. The 3-day event kicked off in Teh- Adhanom Ghebreyesus admired Iran’s ran on October 14, with health minis- efforts on providing access to compre- ters and high-level representatives of hensive healthcare services for all the the 22 countries and territories of the residents, saying that offering healthcare WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, services to all is a global commitment, partner organizations and civil society and other countries must look to Iran in attendance. as a role model in terms of public health Key technical health issues discussed coverage and primary healthcare. during the event including ending pre- He made the remarks in a meeting with ventable newborn, child and adoles- ITE provides a business platform for inventors, manufacturers Iranian Health Minister, Saeed Namaki, cent deaths, strengthening nursing and and dealers to present their latest products and innovations and prior to the 66th session of the WHO midwifery as well as hospital sector, exchange information. Delegations from more than 20 countries Regional Committee for the Eastern developing national institutional ca- participated in the expo to present their patented inventions Mediterranean in Tehran on Sunday. pacity for health policy-making and and new ideas. Providing universal healthcare accelerating regional implementation Secretary of the 4th national student festival of Ibn Sina, Mehdi has recently been emphasized at the of the UN Political Declaration on the Rashidi Jahan, said that the international contest is a propitious United Nations, and a resolution was Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki (L) meets Director General of World Prevention and Control of Non-Com- place for exchanging views where partners and investors mingle recently adopted at the UN General Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus municable Diseases. in a positive atmosphere. The students who have won the 4th national student festival of Ibn Sina participated in the ITE 2019 which was held with the UK renewables generate more electricity Italy proposes price cuts on plastic-free support of more than 60 international scientific and research organizations, he added. than fossil fuels for the first time food and toiletries The young Iranian inventors won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals, he highlighted. The 4th national student festival of Ibn Sina attended by more than 5,000 students, instructors and school principals held on May 2 to 3, with the support of the Vice Presidency of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education.

Ban air miles and stop frequent flyers to combat climate change, report urges

Air miles should be banned because they encourage excessive flying, according to a report commissioned by the government’s climate change advisers. Frequent flyers should be hit by an “escalating air miles levy” UK renewables have generated more elec- came from coal and 0.3TWh from oil, ac- Shoppers in Italy could soon receive non-recyclable plastic. to put them off flying too much, rather than encouraged by reward tricity than fossil fuels for the first time, cording to the analysis of national statistics discounts at the checkout on products Earlier this year, Tesco pledged to ban schemes, the report says. according to an analysis of energy use for from the Department for Business, Energy sold without packaging under measures any brands using excessive packaging The suggestions are aimed at the 15 per cent of the UK popu- the third quarter of this year. & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). proposed by the government to reduce from next year. lation estimated to be responsible for 70 per cent of flights, many Wind farms, solar panels, biomass There are now just seven coal-fired single-use plastic. Giuseppe Conte, the Italian prime of whom take additional flights to “maintain their privileged and hydropower generated 29.5 terawatt power stations left in the UK, with the Food, drinks, shampoos, liquid washes minister, said the country was seeking traveller status”. hours (TWh) of energy for the months of last one set to close by 2025. and detergents sold from dispensers or to be a leader in making its economy The report by Imperial College London, commissioned by July, August and September, compared Out of the 29.5TWh from renewable in reusable containers would be cheaper, more sustainable, the Guardian reported. the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), also suggests flights to 29.1TWh from fossil fuels, according sources of energy, 14.6TWh came from and shop bosses would be given financial On Thursday night, the country’s should advertise their emissions in a simple way easily under- to Carbon Brief. wind, 8.8TWh from biomass, 4.7TWh from incentives to offer products this way. council of ministers passed new en- stood by customers. In 2010, 10 times more energy came solar and 1.4TWh came from hydropower. As part of a series of measures, vironmental laws described by Sergio The report, Behaviour Change, Public Engagement and Net from burning fossil fuels than renewable This is part of a growing trend and in which are due to be debated in cabinet Costa, the environment minister, as Zero, was authored by Dr Richard Carmichael. energy, but the cost of renewables has tum- the first three quarters of this year, re- on Thursday, shops would have new “a revolution for the system… and the It said that “high impact shifts in consumer behaviours” were bled, with onshore wind and solar power newables did better than fossil fuels on “green corners”, and people who give base on which we are founding the green needed for the UK to reach its goal of net-zero emissions by frequently cheaper. 103 out of 273 of the days. up their cars and mopeds could be of- new deal”. 2050, rather than the “small and easy changes” suggested to This marks the latest milestone in the However, despite huge success in fered public transport season tickets Mr Costa wrote on Facebook that UK households in the past. rapid decarburization of the UK’s elec- the electricity sector, other parts of the or support to buy bicycles. while most attention is on the oceans; It added policy changes were required which were “consist- tricity system. economy have made little progress in There would also be an urban reforest- most waste ends up in rivers. ent with the scale of the climate challenge, build optimism and Dr Simon Evans, deputy editor of Car- reducing emissions. ation plan, a €20m (£17.4m) investment “If on the one hand it is true that commitment, and give weight to new ambitious narratives that bon Brief, told The Independent: “The UK Last year 6.8tns of greenhouse gases in electric and hybrid school buses and the amount of plastic envelopes in riv- inspire wide public participation”. has made significant progress in cutting were emitted per person and by 2050 this an environmental campaign in schools. ers has decreased, thanks to European The report also included wider recommendations on sus- its CO2 emissions over the past decade. will need to have dropped to zero. It comes days after Sainsbury’s, the regulations and the introduction of bio- tainable living, including weekly collections of food waste and “Almost all of that progress is thanks The Committee on Climate Change’s second largest supermarket chain in the degradable envelopes, up to about 1 per changes to diet, particularly eating less meat and switching to to the electricity sector, which as our (CCC) annual report to parliament showed UK, removed all plastic bags for loose cent density, on the other we must note largely plant-based diets. analysis shows has seen fossil fuel gen- UK action to slash greenhouse gas emis- fruit and vegetables, offering instead that the amount of bottles increased, It also suggested mandatory labels on food products to show eration halve since 2010 and renewables sions driving climate change is lagging net bags made of recycled bottles and reaching even 14 per cent, followed by the environmental impact of producing the item. increase more than fourfold. far behind what is needed. encouraging customers to bring their food wrappers with 12 per cent, not to (Source: The Independent) “Other parts of the economy have made BEIS was awarded £30m extra in the own containers. mention cigarette butts, with 9 per cent. very little progress. The UK will not be latest spending round to “accelerate pro- Supermarkets have come under a bar- “Plastic waste in rivers represents able to meet its legally-binding carbon gress” on decarbonisation projects next year. rage of pressure from shoppers angry at about 37.5 per cent of the total present.” WORDS IN THE NEWS targets in future without emissions cuts However, this was just 0.1 per cent of the amount of plastic packaging on goods. The Independent has asked the UK’s in other areas, such as heating and trans- what is required, according to Britain’s A Greenpeace report last year on environment department whether it has India and Pakistan talks port,” he said. biggest environmental groups, including supermarkets’ plastic packaging found also considered introducing schemes Out of the total of 29.1TWh from fossil Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. supermarkets were not moving fast offering discounts for loose produce. (January 07, 2002) fuels, 28.4TWh came from gas, 0.4TWh (Source: The Independent) enough to remove unnecessary and (Source: The Independent) The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has now arrived in Islamabad on the latest leg of a regional tour which is hoped will ease tensions between India and Pakistan. This report by Nick Childs. ENGLISH IN USE In public at least neither Mr Blair’s visit nor the regional summit in Nepal which just preceded his arrival in Delhi have done LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION anything to alter India’s position on dialogue with Pakistan. If Mr Blair was hoping for a softening of India’s demands he was quickly disappointed. In a joint news conference, the Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee insisted India Clean air days double for تهرانیها امسال دو برابر بیشتر روزهای was for dialogue, but only once Pakistan had done more to rein in the militants. That view has now been underlined Tehraners this year پاک داشتند by the Indian foreign minister, Jaswant Singh, who declared that Pakistan’s position hasn’t changed. Tehrani citizens have experienced a 2-fold rise in the number of clean مدیــرکل دفتــر پایــش فراگیــر ســازمان حفاظــت محیــط زیســت گفــت: تهران یهــا از Indian officials are sure to welcome Mr Blair’s air days since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (started ابتــدای امســال تــا امــروز )12 اســفند 97( نســبت بــه مدت مشــابه ســال گذشــته، دو برابر broad denunciation of terrorism without distinction and هــوای پــاک تنفــس کردنــد. see it as a vindication of their own stance and diplomacy. But March 21, 2018) compared to the same period last year, an official with he sidestepped endorsement of India’s detailed demands on Department of Environment has said. شــینا انصــاری روز یکشــنبه در گف توگــو بــا ایرنــا افــزود: تهــران از ابتــدای امســال تــا Pakistan. Any sign of whether there is room for maneuver on Since the aforementioned period, clean air stayed in the capital for 27 امــروز، 27 روز هــوای پــاک داشــته در حالیکــه ســال گذشــته در مــدت مشــابه، تعــداد India’s demands will have to await the outcome of the British leader’s talks in Islamabad. His ability to influence the two days, while last year, during the same period, Tehraners breathed clean روزهــای پــاک 14 روز بــوده اســت. .sides was always going to be limited albeit that his efforts air for only 14 days, IRNA quoted Shina Ansari as saying on Sunday وی اظهــار داشــت: همچنیــن از ابتــدای امســال تاکنــون، کیفیــت هــوای پایتخــت بــرای were clearly with the blessing of Washington. Mr Blair’s visit Also, the air quality of the capital was healthy for 262 days, while being 262 روز قابــل قبــول و 59 روز ناســالم بــرای گ روههــای حســاس بــوده کــه در مــدت has received prominent coverage in the media here but not as unhealthy for sensitive groups for 59 days, she said, adding that compared much as the failure of the recent summit in Nepal to produce مشــابه ســال گذشــته بــه ترتیــب 229 و 97 روز بــوده کــه هشــت روز نیــز ناســالم بــرای a diplomatic breakthrough. to the same period last year, Tehran’s air quality reached healthy levels for تمــام گ روههــا بــوده اســت. .Words 229 days and 97 days of unhealthy for sensitive groups has hit the capital position on: attitude towards dialogue: formal discussions softening: becoming less hostile rein in: restrain PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM denunciation: severe public criticism without distinction: without exception “-plast, -plasty, -plastic” Head something off Nip something in the bud vindication of their own stance: proof that their attitude is valid Meaning: living cell or particle Meaning: to prevent something from happening, Explanation: to prevent something from becoming sidestepped: avoided especially something bad a problem by stopping it as soon as it starts room for maneuver: possibility of a compromise For example: The next approach is angioplasty, albeit: even though in which a catheter is used to balloon open the arrowed For example: The President intervened to head For example: Try to nip this kind of bad behavior (Source: BBC) part of the artery. off the conflict. in the bud. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y OCTOBER 15, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Syrian troops enter three towns Iran is taking the next nuclear step

1 Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, surren- after deal with Kurds dered to her Western counterparts much earlier than ex- pected. As a result, by mid-2017, talks between American 1 Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Kobani in the west to Hasakeh in the east, and European diplomats on changing the nuclear deal so-called Syrian Observatory for Human going some 30 km (19 miles) into Syrian entered a new phase. A deal in which diplomats from the Rights monitoring group, said Kurdish au- territory. United States, Germany, France, and Britain, worked on thorities had “made compromises to Syria The Observatory said earlier Sunday that a common goal called “complementary” or “secondary” in order to stop the advance of the Turkish Turkish troops and their militant allies had agreement aimed at achieving Trump’s four demands. forces in the north.” entered Suluk, some 10 km from Turkey’s European officials have continued to meet White House SDF chief Ferhat Abdi Sahin, also known border. demands since Trump left the nuclear deal with Iran. An as Mazlum Abdi, acknowledged that “there Addressing a news conference in Istanbul, issue that is no longer hidden from public view of the world! would be painful compromises” with the Erdogan said Turkish forces had also besieged Syrian government in a bid to save the lives the Syrian border town of Tel Abyad, west of people. of Ras al-Ain. “In light of the invasion by Turkey and “We focused first on the 120-km area Kais Saied elected Tunisia the existential threat its attack poses for between Ras al-Ain and Tel Abyad. Thus our people, we may have to reconsider our we will divide the 480-km terrorist corridor president with slogan of alliances,” he said in an opinion piece pub- down the middle,” Erdogan said. lished in the U.S. Foreign Policy magazine on “Then we will take control of Hasakeh support for Palestine Sunday. on the one side and Ain al-Arab (Kobani) 1 Badran Jia Kurd, a senior Kurdish on the other and complete the operation,” Palestinian Groups Congratulate Kais Saied official, said the Kurds felt they had no he said, referring to towns either side of the Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance movements Hamas and choice but to turn to Damascus in the current focus of operations. Islamic Jihad congratulated Kais Saied on winning Tunisia’s face of the “betrayal” of Washington, According to Press TV, Turkish troops presidential election. noting, “This has obliged us to look for have so far seized control of 109 square km alternative options.” territory, including 17 villages around Tel Since it was launched on Wednesday, the of people and displaced tens of thousands On Sunday, President Tayyip Erdogan Abyad and four villages around Ras al-Ain, Turkish military incursion has killed dozens of Syrians. said Turkey’s incursion will stretch from Erdogan said.

Yemeni forces shoot down drone collecting Pentagon chief sends mixed signals on intelligence for Riyadh in Hudaydah impeachment

TEHRAN — A drone operated by the province. No reports of damage or possible TEHRAN — Pentagon chief Mark Esper The Trump administration has been Saudi-led military coalition has been casualties were immediately available. appears to vow to cooperate with the im- trying to stop staff from responding to intercepted and targeted while flying in Moreover, Saudi-led forces sprayed peachment inquiry underway in the Dem- subpoenas issued by the House to inves- the skies over Yemen’s strategic western a number of buildings on two streets ocratic-held House against U.S. President tigate the Ukraine scandal as part of the province of Hudaydah. in Yemen’s western coastal city of Hu- Donald Trump, yet asserting that the White impeachment inquiry. The media bureau of Yemen’s Houthi daydah with machinegun rounds. There House also has a “say” in subpoenas sent Trump’s ambassador to the European Ansarullah movement said in a statement were no quick reports of casualties to the Defense Department. Union, Gordon Sondland was report- on Sunday that Yemeni army forces, sup- though. “We will do everything we can to edly preparing to finally appear before In separate statements, the two movements hoped that ported by allied fighters from the Popular According to Press TV, Saudi Arabia and respond to their inquiry, Chris,” the U.S. House despite formerly refusing the election result would lead to Tunisia’s further progress Committees, shot down the aircraft as it a number of its regional allies launched a American defense secretary told Fox to do so. and development. was on a reconnaissance mission over Kilo devastating campaign against Yemen in News on Sunday. “My general counsel According to Press TV, Trump is un- They also hailed the incoming president’s support for the 16 district. March 2015, with the goal of bringing the a week or two ago sent out a note, as der pressure for tying U.S. military aid to Palestinian cause. Separately, a bomb explosion struck government of Hadi back to power and we often do in these situations, to the Ukraine to an investigation into Joe Biden Tunisia’s electoral commission was expected to confirm on a group of Riyadh’s mercenaries loyal to crushing the Ansarullah movement. key members in the Pentagon to say, and his son, Hunter, over allegations of Monday that voters gave conservative political outsider Kais Yemen’s former President Abd Rabbuh The U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location ‘Retain your documents and institute corruption. Saied a sweeping mandate to be the next president, thanks Mansur Hadi south of al-Maton district and Event Data Project (ACLED), a non- other controls… So, again, we will re- “The enclosed subpoena demands largely to young people who flocked to his side. in the northern Yemeni province of al- profit conflict-research organization, es- spond as we can.” documents that are necessary for the “He was elected very comfortably,” political scientist Selim Jawf. Casualties were reported but the timates that the war has claimed more Esper refused to say whether the Pen- Committees to examine this sequence Kharrat said. exact number remains unknown. than 91,000 lives over the past four and tagon would meet that target date of sub- of these events and the reasons be- With his three million estimated votes, Saied won double Earlier in the day, the Fakher area of a half years. poenas already sent to them. hind the White House’s decision to that of all 217 politicians combined who were elected in Oc- the Qa’atabah district in Yemen’s south- The war has also taken a heavy toll on “I don’t know the status of what that withhold critical military assistance tober 6 general elections. western province of Dhale was the scene of the country’s infrastructure, destroying document preparation is. I don’t know what to Ukraine that was appropriated by Last week, Tunisia’s Watania TV aired a debate between an indiscriminate shooting by militiamen hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN restrictions we may have internally with Congress to counter Russian aggres- the two final contenders in the country’s presidential race, sponsored by the Saudi regime. Two refu- says over 24 million Yemenis are in dire regard to releasing them,” he said. “The sion,” the three House Democratic with the issues of Israel coming up in the debate. gee children were injured in the incident. need of humanitarian aid, including 10 White House has a say on the release of chairmen leading the impeachment Kais Saied said that the problem is not with the Jews and Mercenaries also shelled a number of million suffering from extreme levels of documents, as well. There are a number inquiry wrote in a letter to Esper, that Tunisians, including his father, protected Jews from the villages in the Hays district of Hudaydah hunger. of things that play into this.” giving him until October 15. Nazis. He also said that anybody who normalizes relations with Israel, with which he said Tunisia is in a state of war, should be tried for treason. Trump: ‘Big sanctions on Turkey coming’ TEHRAN — U.S. President Donald Trump has said that “big The offensive came three days after Trump in a sud- Iran has foiled hostile plan sanctions” on Turkey are coming after its military launched den change of policy told his counterpart Recep Tayyip an offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria. Erdogan that he would pull U.S. troops from the region, in the region In a tweet on Monday, Trump also said that the Syrian effectively exposing the Kurdish militants to their arch- Kurds targeted by Turkish forces may be releasing some enemy, Turkey. 1 This is a great achievement for all countries in the Daesh prisoners to get the United States involved in the Shortly after the attack began, a bipartisan group region, which can herald a bright future for Iran, such as cultural, conflict. of senators brought legislation that would freeze all economic and political influence across a vast area extending to “Big sanctions on Turkey coming! Do people really think assets Erdogan and other Turkish leaders have in the the Mediterranean coast. we should go to war with NATO Member Turkey? Never U.S. and impose visa restrictions until Ankara with- This is an area that can change the fate of Iran and have a ending wars will end!” he tweeted. draws from Syria. profound impact. This matter is so serious since the area extended “We are not going into another war between people who It would also slap sanctions on entities that do business from Tehran to Latakia and Beirut. have been fighting with each other for 200 years. Europe with Turkey’s military or support its domestic energy in- This regional achievement, if nothing bad happens and secu- had a chance to get their ISIS (Daesh) prisoners, but didn’t dustry for use by its armed forces. rity is established, can resolve all economic problems, terminate want the cost. ‘Let the USA pay,’ they said,” he added. “Kurds According to Press TV, Trump’s move to withdraw troops pressures, and bring great prosperity. We should be grateful for may be releasing some to get us involved. Easily recaptured from Syria was widely condemned by both Republican and this opportunity and seize it. by Turkey or European Nations from where many came, Democratic Party lawmakers in Congress. House lawmakers Beside Iran, there were also non-calculable factors that made the achievement happen, including domestic developments in but they should move quickly.” Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with jets and artillery and are drafting a resolution to impose punitive sanctions on the U.S., Britain, France, and Western Europe. Many issues were Turkey on Wednesday began pounding positions of the sent in troops to purge them from the area east of Euphrates. Turkey for its offensive in Syria. beyond our control and imagination. It can be said that our des- tiny led us to this point. Catalan separatist leaders handed jail terms for independence bid TEHRAN — Protesters have hit the streets in several big Catalan municipalities, such funds,” the ruling said. public works minister told public broad- Putin visits Saudi Arabia in north-eastern Spain after the country’s as Girona and Lleida. The three other defendants in the land- caster TVE. TEHRAN— Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Saudi Supreme Court on Monday sentenced nine Train tracks were briefly blocked outside mark ruling were found guilty only of dis- “In Catalonia, there is a need for clear Arabia Monday, where he was set to seal oil agreements and try of the 12 accused Catalan separatist leaders Girona, a separatist stronghold, rail operator obedience and not sentenced to prison. All and responsible leadership on behalf of to use his influence to defuse tensions boiling in the Gulf. to between nine and 13 years in prison. Rodalies said on Twitter. defendants were acquitted of the most severe separatists.” The 12 were accused of sedition over The independence leaders’ sentences were charge, rebellion. The leader of the opposition People’s Par- their roles in the region’s 2017 failed bid lower than demanded by the prosecution The separatists were charged for their role ty said that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for independence. - which had sought up to 25 years behind in organising a referendum on the secession must affirm that he “will not pardon those Protesters blocked five regional roads bars for former Catalan Vice President Oriol of the northeastern region of Catalonia from convicted” and that he would on the side of across Catalonia, officials at the Catalan road Junqueras. the Spanish state in October 2017. the government “preserve public order and traffic agency said on Monday. The government and the Spanish oppo- to avoid violent attitudes in the streets”. Several streets in Barcelona were also sition, however, have welcomed the court’s The separatist leaders’ failed attempt blocked by protests, including parts of Di- “The Supreme Court has condemned decision. to secede from the European nation had agonal avenue, which crosses the whole city, Oriel Junqueras to 13 years of prison... on “The sentence must be carried out and sparked the worst political crisis in decades, local police said. There were also protests grounds of sedition and the misuse of public complied with,” Jose Luis Abalos, the acting Al Jazeera reported.

Queen says Britain still aiming for Brexit end of October TEHRAN— Britain is still aiming for Brexit at the end omy for the future and triggering the start of our It remains unclear how Johnson intends to proceed in His meetings with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed of the month, Queen Elizabeth II said Monday, as she set infrastructure revolution. This is the right and re- such a situation. bin Salman comes following attacks on Saudi oil installations that out the executive’s legislative program for a new parlia- sponsible thing to do – we must get on with gov- Meanwhile the budget, Javid’s first as chancellor, was Riyadh and Washington have blamed on Moscow ally Tehran. mentary session. erning,” he added. expected to build on proposals he set out last month for Oil will be “the main topic of discussion” between the leaders, “My government’s priority has always been to secure Britain and the EU are currently locked in last-ditch infrastructure, including hospitals and railways. Russian political analyst Fydor Lukyanov said, as a deal between the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Un- talks to secure a divorce deal ahead of a crunch two- However Jon Trickett, the Labour Party’s Cabinet Office the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Mos- ion October 31,” she told lawmakers, as last-minute talks day summit for European leaders in Brussels starting spokesman, was sceptical the budget would be delivered cow is due to expire next spring. continued in Brussels to secure a divorce deal. Thursday. as planned, with opposition parties threatening to topple Moscow is not a member of OPEC, but it has worked closely Britain’s government is planning a first post-Brexit Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists that Britain will Johnson’s government and the prime minister himself with the group to limit supply and push up prices after a 2014 budget for November 6, finance minister Sajid Javid an- leave the bloc October 31 as scheduled, even without an pushing for a snap election. slump that wreaked havoc on the economies of Russia and cartel nounced Monday. agreement, daily Star reported. “I would be surprised if there is a budget at that time heavyweight Saudi Arabia. “This will be the first budget after leaving the EU,” Javid But British members of parliament last month passed because they’ve no idea whether they’re going to get this In an interview with Arabic-language television channels ahead said in a statement. a law requiring him to request a Brexit extension if no deal Brexit proposal through the House (of Commons) or not,” of his visit, Putin praised his good relations with the Saudi royals, “I will be setting out our plan to shape the econ- has been finalized by the end of the summit. he told BBC Radio. AFP reported. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS OCTOBER 15, 2019

Fresh off world record run, Barcelona offer support to jailed Kosgei thinks women can go even faster Catalan separatist leaders Like any true competitor, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei does not plan to coast on her latest accomplishment — even if that happens to Barcelona have announced their support for “Girona back a process of dialogue be running the fastest-ever women’s marathon. the nine separatist leaders from Catalonia and negotiation between all parties. This Hours after shattering Paula Radcliffe’s 16-year-old world handed prison terms of between nine and process must include the liberation of the record, running the Chicago Marathon in two hours, 14 minutes 13 years over their role in a failed bid for condemned civic leaders and politicians, and four seconds, the 25-year-old said she believes any number independence from Spain. who have been unjustly jailed for the last of competitors could beat her. The Spanish champions said “prison two years.” “If a lady can prepare good and they have no injury... they is not the solution” and called on political The referendum, which took place in can reduce to reduce to 2:12 or one minute to 2:13,” Kosgei told leaders to engage in dialogue to resolve the October 2017, resulted in an overwhelming a news conference. ongoing conflict. win for the separatists and led to a short- But while she stopped short of pointing to a 2:10:00 marathon All nine defendants had been held without lived independence declaration. However, for herself, she made clear that her sole goal is getting even faster. bail for almost two years and were sentenced the vote was marred by violence between “I’m still focusing to reduce my time again – if it’s possible,” on Monday. They were all acquitted of the Spanish police, who were trying to shut the Kosgei said. “If my body would be good (I could) reduce little gravest charge, rebellion, but were found ballots down, and the general public. by little, slowly.” guilty of sedition. Three other defendants As a result of the trouble, Barca opted While her year-to-year career improvement could hardly be were found culpable of disobedience but to play their game that day, a league fixture described as “slow,” it has been steady. In 2017 and 2018 she fin- were not handed jail terms. against Las Palmas, behind closed doors ished the Chicago Marathon in 2:20:22 and 2:18:35, respectively, The landmark ruling in Spain relates to at Camp Nou. after logging a year-end best time of 2:24:45 at Lisbon in 2016. a 2017 referendum on independence, which An emotional Gerard Pique, who voted The 25-year-old arrived in the Windy City as an overwhelming was deemed illegal by central government, in the referendum, described the match as favorite, having won the race in 2018. organized by Catalan politicians and civil the “worst experience” of his professional Last month she clinched the unofficial best women’s half leaders. career. marathon time of 1:04:28 at the Great North Run and earlier “In the same way that the preventive Barca have avoided positioning this year she became the youngest woman to ever win the Lon- prison sentence didn’t help to resolve the themselves on either side of the independence don Marathon. conflict, neither will the prison sentence release of convicted civic and political leaders. Espanyol said that they “respected the date, but Monday’s statement is not the first Her confidence showed at the start of the race, when she given [on Monday], because prison is not “Barcelona also expresses all its support court’s decisions” but regretted the situation time the club has stepped into the debate. set an aggressive pace of 3:05.59 minutes per kilometer in the the solution,” Barca said in a statement. and solidarity to the families of those who and, like Barca, called for dialogue to help In 2013, they allowed Camp Nou to be first 5km, causing commentators to fret that she had perhaps “The resolution of the conflict in Catalonia are deprived of their freedom.” find a solution. used for the Concert for Freedom, which overextended herself. must come exclusively from political Elsewhere, the Catalan Football Girona’s response was much stronger: demanded self-determination for Catalonia “I was too fast because I wanted to leave the group and focus,” dialogue. Federation announced all activity on Monday “The club, which has always defended and other nations around the world. Later said Kosgei. “I come here to run my own pace, I don’t depend “Therefore, now more than ever, the club had been suspended, while La Liga side freedom of expression and the right to that same year, on Sept. 11, Catalonia’s on someone.” asks all political leaders to lead a process Espanyol, based in Barcelona, and second decide, rejects the sentences. They will national day, an independence march was (Source: Reuters) of dialogue and negotiation to resolve this division side Girona also released short not resolve the situation, which requires allowed to pass through the club’s stadium. conflict, which should also allow for the statements. a political solution. (Source: Soccernet) Boxer being treated for brain injury after Charles Conwell fight Ex-Chelsea, Arsenal GK Petr Cech Mercedes reset targets as sixth F1 title Boxer Patrick Day is in an “extremely critical condition” after makes stellar ice hockey debut his defeat by Charles Conwell in Chicago. double sinks in The 27-year-old American is in a coma with “a traumatic brain injury”, said his promoter. Day was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital after being knocked out in the 10th round of his super welterweight bout on the undercard of the Oleksandr Usyk-Chazz Witherspoon fight in the US. “Pat makes any room he is in a better place,” said promoter Lou DiBella. “I’ve never met anyone who’s met Patrick and not liked him. Never heard him utter a mean word. Never seen him greet someone without a big smile. Life doesn’t seem fair sometimes. “Please keep Pat in your prayers, thoughts and hearts.” Day was taken from the ring on a stretcher on Saturday. British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn wrote on social media: “Deepest prayers with Patrick right now.” His company, Matchroom Boxing, which organized the event, also posted to say Day had “been taken directly to hospital”. Speaking after the fight, 21-year-old American Conwell told IFL TV: “I give my blessings and concerns to him and his team. I hope he is OK. I know he is a great person.” Former Arsenal and Chelsea goalkeeper Hockey League South 2. Formula One champions Mercedes are The 34-year-old is on 82 wins, nine short (Source: BBC) Petr Cech made his competitive ice “It is kind of a childhood dream to wondering how far they can go after se- of Schumacher’s 91, with that also looking a hockey debut on Sunday, helping the come and play one game, which has curing an unprecedented sixth successive realistic target for 2020 given that Hamilton Guildford Phoenix win on a penalty [now] happened,” said Cech, whose title double in Japan on Sunday. is averaging 10 wins a season over the past Doping court sets date for shootout save. penalty save as netminder beat Swindon The Silver Arrows wrapped up the con- six campaigns. Chinese swimming champ Sun The 37-year-old is a big fan of the Wildcats 2 and helped maintain structors’ crown with four races to spare Mercedes are still far off Ferrari’s re- sport and said he it was a dream to play Phoenix’s perfect start. “Nobody will at Suzuka, with only Lewis Hamilton and cord 16 constructors’ championships and The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has given Chinese Olympic in a game after his retirement from ever take this away from me, which is Valtteri Bottas now left in the running for 15 drivers’ titles but making it six on Sunday and world champion swimmer Sun Yang, accused of smashing football last year. He signed last week really nice.” the other championship. was massive for a team who have tried to a doping test sample with a hammer, a November court date, with Guildford, who play National Ice Cech wore a custom-made goalie Hamilton is 64 points ahead of the Finn, portray themselves as underdogs against swimming’s governing body said Monday. Hockey League South 2. mask adorned with the Union Jack Sunday’s winner, and firmly on course to a faster Ferrari this season. “The CAS hearing concerning the swimmer Sun will take place “It is kind of a childhood dream to flag on top, along with the crests of secure his sixth title with only Michael “The pressure is enormous,” said Wolff. on November 15 in Montreux,” an official for FINA, the world come and play one game, which has Chelsea and Arsenal. Schumacher — on seven — ahead of the “The truth is you are setting your own bar swimming federation, told AFP. [now] happened,” said Cech, whose “If you have a dream and you chase Briton in the sport’s all-time record books. very high, and your own expectations, and The court action follows an explosive report from FINA’s penalty save as netminder beat Swindon it and you do everything to make it “Every year we are trying to set objectives then just not meeting those expectations own anti-doping committee in January saying Sun had used a Wildcats 2 and helped maintain happen... I have done that in football that motivate us,” Mercedes F1 principal Toto is extremely painful.” hammer to smash a blood sample during an out-of-competition Phoenix’s perfect start. “Nobody will and all my dreams have come true,” he Wolff told reporters as the team celebrated. Next season, with 22 races, will be the test in September last year. ever take this away from me, which is added after the 3-2 win. “I said, ‘this “So we have beaten the Ferrari record longest ever and Mercedes are already However FINA agreed with Sun, winner of multiple world really nice.” might be the last dream I was hoping now and we’ve got to reinvent ourselves concerned that Ferrari have a performance and Olympic titles, that testers had failed to produce adequate Cech wore a custom-made goalie to [tick off]’. But I worked hard for it.” for next year.” advantage that they can carry over to good identification or follow protocol during the testing, clearing him mask adorned with the Union Jack Cech serves as a technical advisor Ferrari won six successive constructors’ effect with stable rules before an overhaul of wrongdoing. flag on top, along with the crests of for Chelsea, where he played 10 seasons titles between 1999 and 2004, with Schu- in 2021. But the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) responded by Chelsea and Arsenal. and won four Premier League titles macher taking five drivers’ crowns in a row Ferrari have been on pole for the past taking the case to CAS. The 37-year-old is a big fan of the and the 2012-13 Champions League. from 2000-04. five races and locked out the front row in In a break with the CAS tradition of holding sessions behind sport and said he it was a dream to play After his time at Stamford Bridge, he Hamilton has already claimed several Suzuka, and Wolff said their could be no closed doors, the hearing will be open to the public and will take in a game after his retirement from played an additional four campaigns at of Schumacher’s records but the two big complacency and there was still plenty of place away from the court’s headquarters in Lausanne. football last year. He signed last week London rivals Arsenal before retiring. ones — the most titles and races won — are work to be done. The hearing was originally fixed for September but postponed with Guildford, who play National Ice (Source: ESPN) still to be matched. (Source: Reuters) at the request of one of the parties, CAS said in August. (Source: France 24) Roger Federer wants to Poland, Russia reach Euro 2020 as Germany, Netherlands close in Poland and Russia secured their places at Euro 2020 on Group C ahead of Germany on head-to-head record with compete at Tokyo 2020 Sunday with victories over North Macedonia and Cyprus a nervy 2-1 win over Belarus in Minsk. Olympics respectively, while Germany and the Netherlands boosted The Dutch lead third-placed Northern Ireland by three their hopes of reaching the finals. points after beating Michael O’Neill’s side 3-1 on Thursday. As he nears the end of a remarkable career Roger Federer says Russia eased to a 5-0 thrashing of 10-man Cyprus, with Georginio Wijnaldum headed the away team in front in he wants to play for Switzerland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Poland joining them, Belgium and Italy in qualifying this the 32nd minute, shortly after Denis Laptev had spurned The Swiss great, 38, had been undecided on competing in a week by seeing off North Macedonia 2-0. a golden chance to give Belarus a shock lead. fourth Games, but after an exhibition match with John Isner in Stanislav Cherchesov’s Russia, who reached the World The Liverpool midfielder doubled the advantage before Tokyo he revealed he will have another shot at one of the very Cup quarter-finals on home soil last year, only had to avoid the break with a wonderful 25-yard strike into the top corner, few titles to have eluded him -- Olympic singles gold. defeat in Nicosia to follow Belgium in qualifying from Group I. and although Stanislav Dragun gave Belarus hope early in the The 20-time grand slam champion won silver in London in Valencia winger Denis Cheryshev fired in a ninth-minute second half, the Netherlands held on with relative comfort. 2012 and clinched gold with Stan Wawrinka in doubles in Bei- opener for the visitors, before Magomed Ozdoev, who scored “We have to do better than we did in the second half, jing in 2008. His missed the Rio Games in 2016 with an injury. a fabulous long-range strike on Thursday against Scotland, although in the end we had things under control,” Dutch “I’ve been debating with my team for a few weeks now, a month made it two midway through the first half. captain Virgil van Dijk told television channel NOS. actually, what I should do in the summertime after Wimbledon Any thoughts of a Cyprus comeback were ended in just “We are now very close to qualifying for the finals, and in terms of before the US Open,” said Federer in Japan. the 28th minute when Kostas Laifis was dismissed for a ultimately that’s what counts.” “At the end of the day, my heart decided I’d love to play the nasty lunge on Russian full-back Sergei Petrov. Victory in Belfast over the Northern Irish next month Olympic Games again. I carried the flag twice for Switzerland Striker Artem Dzyuba scored his third goal in two games in They were forced to be patient by the visitors, who could would secure the Oranje a first appearance at a major in Athens and Beijing, got a gold and a silver. So I’d love to play the 79th minute, before Aleksandr Golovin and Cheryshev’s qualify through the playoffs after winning their Nations tournament since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup. again -- I’m very excited.” second completed the rout late on. League group if they fail to do so automatically. Germany eased to a 3-0 victory in Estonia despite seeing Federer will need a wildcard to be eligible to play as he has not Russia will attempt to overtake Belgium, who beat But Przemyslaw Frankowski prodded home less than 60 Emre Can sent off in the 14th minute. competed in the Davis Cup for Switzerland in this Olympic cycle. Kazakhstan 2-0 earlier on Sunday, at the summit when seconds after coming on as a substitute in the 74th minute, Ilkay Gundogan, who along with Can before kickoff The Olympics runs from July 24-August 9 next year, falling they host the world’s number one side on November 16. before Akardiusz Milik made the points safe. ‘unliked’ a controversial Instagram post by Turkey forward two weeks after Wimbledon and three weeks before the US Open. The European Championship finals, which start on June Poland remain three points clear of Austria, who won 1-0 Cenk Tosun, scored twice, with Timo Werner also finding Federer won his last grand slam title at the Australian Open 12 next year, are being held at 12 different venues across the in Slovenia, at the top of Group G, with North Macedonia the net. in 2018, but he reached the final of Wimbledon this year, losing continent, including Saint Petersburg in Russia. and Slovenia five points further adrift. Joachim Loew’s side host Northern Ireland in their final in five sets to Novak Djokovic after holding two match points. Poland went into their game against North Macedonia Dutch see off Belarus game, which could decide second place. (Source: CNN) knowing victory would punch their ticket for the Euros. Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands remained at the top of (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y OCTOBER 15, 2019 SPORTS 15

Bahrain a tough team to FIVB World Cup: Italy beat Iran in epic match

SPORTS TEHRAN — Italy rallied from two sets down beat: Marc Wilmots deskto defeat Iran 3-2 (25-27, 27-29, 30-28, 25-17, 15-13) at the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup on Monday SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran national team head at Hiroshima Green Arena. desk coach Marc Wilmots says that Bahrain Italy’s Dick Kooy racked up a game-high 28 points and Milad are a team tough to beat but they are ready to win the match. Ebadipour scored 23 points for Iran. Team Melli will meet Bahrain at Bahrain National Sta- dium in Riffa on Tuesday›s matchday 4 of Asia’s Round 2 qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar in Group C. “We have defeated Hong Kong and Cambodia so far and want to continue our winning way. We know that Bahrain are the team tough to beat because they give their opponents no scoring chance. In spite of that, we are ready to defeat them,” Wilmots said in the pre-match press conference. Iran smashed Cambodia 14-0 in Tehran’s Azadi Sta- dium on Thursday but the Belgian coach says that the game was over. “Don’t forget Cambodia match. We will play Bahrain, the team with a good defensive performance. We need to be patient against them,” he said. “Bahrain are different with Cambodia. They looked solid in defense. Our players could be in trouble if they think it “First of all, congratulations to the Italian team for the victory. will be an easy match,” Wilmots declared. It was a really tough game. Maybe Italy deserved to win the first Iran have not defeated Bahrain, who famously inflicted set, but for sure we deserved to win the third. But it was a really a 3-1 defeat on Team Melli on the road to Korea/Japan tough game and dramatic to the end. It was a really big game 2002, in their home so far. and congratulations again to my colleague for this victory,” Iran “We have to respect our opponents but we are ready to coach Igor Kolakovic said. change the history. Iran will face Bahrain with full concen- Team Melli will plsy Poland on Tuesday. tration and the players must make history in this match. The 2019 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup is the 14th staging We are moving step by step and want to take maximum of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup, contested by the senior points,” Wilmots added. men’s national teams of the members of the Fédération Interna- “Our approach is to change the defensive football and tionale de Volleyball (FIVB), the sport’s global governing body. play attacking football. We’ve analyzed Bahrain and we know The tournament is being held in Japan from Oct. 1 to 15. that they are a difficult team to defeat,” Wilmots concluded. Japan played hosts for this event for the twelfth consecutive time since 1977. This is the first time since 1989 that FIVB decided not to Iran advance to ANOC World Sadeghi wins silver in karate kata at allocate any spots in the Olympics, due to Japan hosting the Beach Games semis ANOC World Beach Games 2020 Summer Olympics.

Iran not lucky enough against Italy: Saeid Marouf

Iran national volleyball team captain Saeid Marouf says that they were not lucky enough to beat Italy at the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup on Monday. Italy pulled off a sensational comeback from two sets down to beat Iran 3-2 (25-27, 27-29, 30-28, 25-17, 15-13) at Hiroshima Green Arena. “I think everybody in the hall enjoyed watching the game because both teams fought for every point. It was a strange day in our sport - in the second set they had a chance to close the set and lost that chance; in the third set we had the chance to close the set and the match but we lost that chance. After that they SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran Amado Rolón Caballero and Carlos Valentín SPORTS TEHRAN — Fatemeh public and Mo Lau of Hong Kong won the started to serve strong and received much better than the first deskbeach soccer team Benítez were on target for Paraguay. deskSadeghi from Iran bronze medal. three sets. In the fifth set, the tie-break, it was 15-13,’ Marouf said. defeated Paraguay 5-4 to book a place Iran had already defeated Ukraine and claimed a silver medal in karate kata at The 2019 World Beach Games, offi- “There’s nothing to say, just it was a good fight. Game num- at the Association of National Olympic Senegal in Group C. the Association of National Olympic Com- cially known as the ANOC World Beach ber 10, again a tie-break, we’re so tired and don’t have a lot of Committees World Beach Games semi- Senegal also defeated Ukraine 7-5 in mittees World Beach Games on Sunday. Games Qatar 2019 and commonly known players on the bench to help the team. It’s important that we finals Monday night. the group. Sandra Sánchez from Spain won the as Qatar 2019, is an inaugural interna- tried our best. We were not lucky enough today but I think we Mohammadali Mokhtari, Edgar Daniel Iran qualified for the semis as the winners. women’s individual kata with a score of tional beach multi-sport event organized are satisfied,” he stated. Barreto Sosa (own goal), Mahdi Shirmo- Beach soccer is one of 14 sports being 26.28 points. by the Association of National Olympic Iran coach Igor Kolakovic says the match against Italy was hammadi, Hamid Behzadpour and Mo- showcased at the World Beach Games, Sadeghi finished in second place with Committees (ANOC). really a tough game. hammad Masoumizadeh scored for Iran. which are being held in Doha, the capital 24.66. The competition started on 11 October “First of all, congratulations to the Italian team for the victo- Carlos Alfredo Carballo Ruiz (twice), Jesús of Qatar, from 11-16. Maria Dimtrova of the Dominican Re- and will finish on 16 October in Doha, Qatar. ry. It was a really tough game. Maybe Italy deserved to win the first set, but for sure we deserved to win the third. But it was a really tough game and dramatic to the end. It was a really big game and congratulations again to my colleague for this victory,” Regional derbies take top billing Kolakovic said. Top-of-the-table match-ups and regional derbies headline (Source: FIVB.org) the action on Tuesday’s matchday 4 of Asia’s Round 2 qual- ifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™, with leaders Japan, Qatar, Korea Republic and United Arab Emirates all pitted against their nearest rivals. Iran new member of the Meanwhile, the likes of Australia, IR Iran and China World Ice Hockey Federation PR enter their third outings aiming to maintain a hitherto unblemished record. Elsewhere, India entertain Bangla- desh and Indonesia welcome Vietnam in what promise to IRNA — The Head of Iran’s Skating Federation Bahman be enticing regional derbies. Join FIFA.com as we preview Mohammadrezaei said on Monday that the Iranian federa- these match-ups across Asia. tion signed an agreement with the International Ice Hockey Matchday 4 fixtures Federation (IIHF) to become a member of the World Fed- (15 October) eration after 111 years. Group A: Philippines-China PR, Syria-Guam Speaking to IRNA on Monday, he said it is a brilliant Group B: Chinese Taipei-Australia, Jordan-Nepal move for the Iranian skaters and we have special plans for Group C: Bahrain-IR Iran, Cambodia-Iraq the exciting field. Group D: Palestine-Saudi Arabia, Singapore-Uzbekistan “We will be competing in the upcoming Winter Olympics Group E: India-Bangladesh, Qatar-Oman to be authorized to attend this important event,” he said. Group F: Tajikistan-Japan, Mongolia-Kyrgyz Republic The conditions for skating in Iran are very ideal and all Group G: Thailand-United Arab Emirates, Indone- sections of the federation are doing their best to attain the sia-Vietnam goal, he said adding that the federation seeks to provide Group H: Korea DPR-Korea Republic, Sri Lanka-Lebanon necessary infrastructure for skating since the prospect of The match this field is very promising. Korea DPR-Korea Republic Sharing top spot in Group H with six points each, these two teams enter the showdown in Pyongyang knowing that the victor will move clear at the summit of the table. With Infantino lauds Iranian only the group winners advancing to the next stage, it is a Group B front-runners Australia travel to Chinese Taipei managed two wins and two draws in the past four World match which neither side can afford to lose. aiming to strengthen their grip on the section with a third Cup qualifying meetings. In the other match, India host women attending In a sense, Paulo Bento’s visitors boast a slight mental consecutive victory. Furthermore, this match provides pointless Bangladesh in Kolkata’s mighty Salt Lake stadi- Cambodia match edge, having remained undefeated in the pair’s past six World another opportunity for coach Graham Arnold to test new um with each side desperately seeking to rekindle hopes Cup qualifying meetings with three wins and three draws. young players and formations. Second-place Jordan, mean- with a first win. Yun Jongsu’s hosts can, however, look to their trademark while, entertain Nepal in the section’s other game seeking to In Group F, joint leaders Tajikistan and Japan do battle FIFA President Gianni Infantino believes that Iranian women resilient play which has seen them frustrate opponents bounce back, having being held to a disappointing goalless with both seeking to move clear with victory. The visiting recently attending soccer match with Cambodia is a “step in time and again. draw by Kuwait. Samurai Blue smashed 12 unanswered goals past Tajikistan the right direction”. Even the match itself is special - it marks the first time In Group C, Marc Wilmots’ free-scoring Iran will likely over two legs on the road to Brazil 2014. Mongolia, mean- Around 3,500 female fans were allowed into the 78,000 that Korea DPR has hosted Korea Republic on home soil in have their first real test against hosts Bahrain who famously while, will look to their ever-growing home support in this seater-capacity Azadi stadium. nearly three decades. Ten years back, the Chollima twice held inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Team Melli on the road to Korea/ campaign as they aim to spring another surprise against “I am very confident that this will now become the norm. their southern neighbors in neutral Shanghai in their ‹home Japan 2002. Any slip-ups by Iran will benefit Iraq, who visiting Kyrgyz Republic. I was extremely happy that for the first time women in Iran games’ en route to successful qualification for South Africa can move to the top of the table with a win in Cambodia. Group G pace-setters United Arab Emirates know they were allowed, not only allowed to go to a football game but to 2010. Sri Lanka host Lebanon in the other group match. Group D’s Palestine will be hoping to reproduce the will face a tough test in Thailand after the pair played out a buy, as well, tickets to attend the game. The other attractions form which saw them stun Uzbekistan 2-0 in the opener tense 1-1 draw in their last meeting during the Asian Cup. “It’s a step in the right direction. Therefore my gratitude In Group A, Marcello Lippi’s China travel to Philippines when they entertain Saudi Arabia. In fact, the hosts did In the other match, pointless Indonesia entertain Vietnam goes to everyone but in particular to these women who were seeking their third straight win. Team Dragon will look to the catch the Green Falcons by surprise by holding them to desperately needing a win to keep their hopes alive. cheering for more than 90 minutes in a game and are living goalscoring form of Espanyol forward Wu Lei who scored a a goalless draw at home four years ago during Russia Did you know? there passion. brace in their 3-0 drubbing of the Azkals in January’s 2019 2018 qualifying. In the other match, Uzbekistan face India’s meeting with neighbors Bangladesh is the pair’s “I think men and women alike, we all love football, and the AFC Asian Cup. In the other match, Syria entertain Guam a must-win against hosts Singapore if they are to keep third FIFA World Cup qualifier and 29th match in all compe- message that came this week from Iran is a message of hope, knowing that there is no room for slip-ups if they are to their campaign on track. titions since 1978. The Indians have emerged the dominant and I think the world needs more of these messages of hope. keep pressure on the Chinese before the two sides’ crunch Group E leaders Qatar welcome Oman seeking to side so far with 15 wins and just two defeats. There is more to do but we are on the right path,” Infantino said. tie in Dubai next month. prolong their undefeated head-to-head record, having (Source: FIFA) (Source: Yahoo News) Prayer Times Noon:11:50 Evening: 17:48 Dawn: 4:48 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:11 (tomorrow) OCTOBER 15, 2019 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Ali Musavi Garmarudi, Faramarz Qaribian Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 join “Forty Days of Love” honorees Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 ARTTEHRAN — Poet Seyyed www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. deskAli Musavi Garmarudi Tel: 88911433 and actor Faramarz Qaribian have been Webmaster: [email protected] added to the list of the 40 cultural figures Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 who will be honored in the program “Forty Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily Days of Love” on October 21. The National Library and Archives of No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran Iran (NLAI) has organized the program to P.o. Box: 14155-4843 honor those cultural figures who have created Zip Code: 1599814713 outstanding works about the tragedy of Ashura over the past century. Garmarudi will be honored for his poetry on Ashura named “Bloodline”, and Qaribian for his role in the film “The Messenger” directed by Fariborz Saleh, the NLAI announced on Monday. Qaribian portrays Qays ibn Musahir Al Saidawi, an envoy of Imam Hussein (AS), who is martyred on the way to Kufa. GUIDE TO Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram, SPIRITUAL AWAKENING the day upon which Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions were martyred in Karbala as a result of their valiant stand Remove badness from another’s breast by against the injustices of the oppressive uprooting from your own. Umayyad dynasty in 680 CE. Imam Ali (AS) Earlier last week, the NLAI announced that master of Persian miniature Mahmud Farshchian and director and writer Bahram Beizai are among other artists who will be honored in the program. This combination photo shows actor Faramarz Qaribian (L) and poet Seyyed Ali Musavi Garmarudi. Iranian animations competing in Farshchian has created several paintings Day”, a screen adaptation of which was made calling for help. He leaves the ceremony and In addition, the Tehran Symphony including “The Evening of Ashura”, “Ali- by director Shahram Asadi in 1995. takes a journey to Karbala. But he arrives Orchestra will be performing “The Fateful Brazilian festival Asghar (AS)” and “The Standard-Bearer of The film is the story of a Christian man at the end of the Battle of Karbala after the Day” film score composed by Iranian maestro Truth” about the tragedy of Ashura. who converts to Islam for the love of a martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his Majid Entezami at the honoring program. ARTTEHRAN — “This Side, Other Side” and “Each Beizai is the writer of the play “The Fateful Muslim girl. At the wedding, he hears voices companions. Entezami himself will conduct the concert. deskOther” (Yek Digar), two animations from Iran are competing in the Animage, an international animation festival currently underway in the Brazilin city of Recife. Film scores by Lionel Newman “The Wooden Bridge” to go on screen to be reviewed in Tehran at USC in Los Angeles

A scene from “This Side, Other Side” by Lida Fazli. “This Side, Other Side” by Lida Fazli shows that no border can block friendship and affection between children, hoping that the adult world, as well as the children’s world, would be full of peace and friendship. “Each Other” (Yek Digar) by Sarah Tabibzadeh portrays a young man who works in a bedroll selling shop and accidentally loses one of its layers. This year the festival, which will run until October 20, received submissions from different couturiers. About 80 short animated films are competing in the event. A poster for a review session for Lionel Newman’s film scores at Tehran’s A poster for the screening program for Mehdi Karampur’s 2012 movie “The Niavaran Cultural Center. Wooden Bridge” at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. ARTTEHRAN — Film Newman composed soundtracks for ARTTEHRAN — Iranian the visa arrangements in Dubai. Despite “Japanese Disappearances” deskscores by American numerous movies, including “Cleopatra”, deskdirector Mehdi his initial disapproval due to Sabuhi’s appears in Iranian composer Lionel Newman will be reviewed “The Sand Pebbles”, “The Agony and the Karampur’s 2012 movie “The Wooden affection for Shirin, Amir agrees to the during a session at the Niavaran Cultural Ecstasy”, “The Long Hot Summer”, “The Bridge” will go on screen during a plan eventually and Shirin leaves Iran. bookstores Center in Tehran on Thursday. Young Lions”, “Alien” and “The Omen”. program at the University of Southern Meanwhile, in Iran things get more Iranian musician and scholar Nasrollah He was also the musical supervisor for “Star California (USC) in Los Angeles on complicated when Amir’s sister is arrested CULTURE TEHRAN — French writer Eric Faye’s Davudi is scheduled to discuss a number Wars”, “The Empire Strikes Back”, “Return of November 3. by police and his old love, Nazli, comes desknovel “Japanese Disappearances” (“Eclipses of Newman’s works during the session. the Jedi”, “Monsignor” and “The Fury”. The film is about a couple, Amir and back to him after ten years. Japonaises”) has recently been Newman (1916–1989) was a well-known Earlier in September, the center Shirin, who decide to emigrate from Iran Organized by the Persian Academic published in Persian by Ofoq conductor, pianist, and film and television reviewed works by Lionel’s brother Alfred, after ten years of their marriage, but and Cultural Student Association Publications in Tehran. composer. He received 11 Academy Award another prominent musician from Newman they face several problems. (PACSA) of the university, the screening Translated by Mahmud nominations, and won an Oscar for Best Score family, who is known for his work on “All To solve the problems, Shirin accepts will be followed by a review session, which Gudarzi, the 2016 book is based of a Musical Picture for “Hello Dolly!” with About Eve”, “How the West Was Won” the help of their old university professor, will be attended by Karampur and Iranian on a true story of the abductions his fellow composer Lennie Hayton in 1969. and “Camelot”. Kamran Sabuhi, and goes to him to make critic Hamidreza Sadr. of Japanese citizens from Japan by agents of the North Korean government, which took place Persian publisher to review during a period of six years from 1977 to 1983. The book tells the story of a Walter Dean Myers’ “Monster” 13-year-old girl Naoko Tanabe TEHRAN — The Iranian publisher Kathy O’Brien, Steve’s lawyer, informs him on what will and a 20-year-old girl Setsuko CULTURE deskPeydayesh plans to hold a session on happen during the trial. Okada who are kidnapped by Wednesday to review American author Walter Dean Myers’ The novel was nominated for the 1122 National Book North Koreans in 1977. young adult novel “Monster”. Award for Young People’s Literature, won the Michael L. They are assumed to have The book was originally published by HarperCollins in Printz Award in 2000 and was named a Coretta Scott King Front cover of the Persian version drowned or run away from home 1999. A Persian translation of the book by Sheida Ranjbar Award Honor the same year. of “Japanese Disappearances” while they are forced to change appeared in Iranian bookstores in 2006. “I judge this book to be remarkable because of its precise by French writer Eric Faye. their names, kept under control Ranjbar has made some revisions to the book in the new language, beautiful prose and elegant style of narration,” and isolated from other people with no hope of leaving. edition, which has recently been released by Peydayesh. Ranjbar said after her Persian translation of “Monster” was “Monster” begins with 16-year-old Steve Harmon published for the first time in 2006. A combination photo shows American author Walter writing in his diary awaiting his trial for murder. Musing “Monster” was adapted for a film of the same name directed Vietnam pulls DreamWorks’ Dean Myers and the front cover of the Persian version on his short time in prison so far, he decides to record this by Anthony Mandler. It premiered at the Sundance Film “Abominable” film over of his novel “Monster”. upcoming experience in the form of a movie screenplay. Festival in 2018. South China Sea map Scorsese says he wanted to ‘enrich’ past De Niro work with “The Irishman” HANOI (Reuters) — Vietnam has pulled DreamWorks’ animated LONDON (Reuters) — Martin Scorsese we had gone in the ‘70s and the ‘80s and the years, we almost worked together Marty and I.” film “Abominable” from cinemas over a scene featuring a map reunites with Robert De Niro in “The early ‘90s,” Scorsese told a news conference. The film, which has won rave reviews which shows China’s unilaterally declared “nine-dash line” in Irishman”, a 3-1/2 hour long mob drama “To just replicate what we had been trying from critics touting it an Oscar contender, the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday. the acclaimed director said he chose to do to do at the beginning of our careers wouldn’t will have a limited theatrical run before and The U-shaped line is a feature used on Chinese maps to illustrate with his frequent collaborator to build on their be enriching in any way.” after its Nov. 27 Netflix release. its claims over vast expanses of the resource-rich South China Sea, past work together rather than replicate it. The film, which runs just short of 3-1/2 “The original conception of what a film is including large swathes of what Vietnam regards as its continental Set over several decades, “The Irishman” hours, begins with elderly narrator Frank and where it’s to be seen has now changed shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. looks at a Pennsylvania organized crime family Sheeran, played by De Niro, recounting his life. so radically,” Scorsese said. Last week, sports network ESPN faced criticism of its coverage with Oscar winners De Niro, Al Pacino and Told in flashbacks, the audience sees him “Something that should always be of a row between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Joe Pesci in the main roles. as a soldier, truck driver and eventually mob protected as much as possible ... is a communal Director Martin Scorsese and cast members China after using a map that featured the line. The Netflix movie, which closes the BFI hitman after meeting organized crime boss experience and I think that’s best in the Al Pacino and Robert De Niro arrive for China and Vietnam have been locked in a standoff since China London Film Festival on Sunday, uses digital Russell Bufalino, played by Pesci. theater. Now homes are becoming theaters the screening of “The Irishman” during the dispatched a vessel to conduct an energy survey in waters controlled de-ageing technology to show the characters The plot, based on Charles Brandt’s book too, it’s a major change and I think one has 2019 BFI London Film Festival at the Odeon by Vietnam in early July. “We will revoke (the film’s license),” in their 30s and 40s. De Niro, Pesci and Pacino “I Heard You Paint Houses”, is tied to the to keep an open mind.” Luxe Leicester Square in London, Britain Ta Quang Dong, deputy minister of culture, sports and tourism, are all in their 70s. disappearance of former U.S. Teamsters union The 76-year-old reiterated his comparison October 13, 2019. (Reuters/Henry Nicholls) was quoted as saying by the Thanh Nien newspaper. The project is Scorsese’s and De Niro’s boss Jimmy Hoffa, portrayed by Pacino in of superhero flicks to “theme park” films, where The ministry is in charge of licensing and censoring foreign films. latest collaboration following acclaimed his first Scorsese collaboration. he said “theaters become amusement parks”. of themselves, Pacino who described the de- “Abominable”, about a Chinese girl who discovers a yeti living works like “Taxi Driver”, “Raging Bull”, “I’d known Marty and Bob a very long time “That’s a different experience ... it’s not ageing effects as “a form of make-up”, said: on her roof, was jointly produced by Shanghai-based Pearl Studio “Goodfellas” and “Casino”. so when Bob ... called me ... it sounded really cinema it’s something else whether you go for “This whole thing is innovative of course but and Comcast-owned DreamWorks Animation and was first shown “I was really looking for something with interesting and the opportunity to work with them that or not ... and we shouldn’t be invaded by it.” at the same time, you tell a story, and in the in Vietnamese cinemas on Oct. 4. Bob (De Niro) to enrich more or less where was very important to me,” Pacino said. “For Asked about watching younger versions end I’m a little more concerned about that.”